Checks and splits are two of the biggest issues in the hardwood flooring industry.
* What causes checks and splits?
* Why do they occur after installation?
* Are they manufacturing defects?
* Are they installation related issues?
* Or, are checks and splits environmental related conditions?
There seems to be conflicting information on this topic, depending on who you ask. There are good arguments to both sides. There isn’t, however, much of anything in writing on checks and splits.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Brian H. Bond on checks and splits.
Brian is a professor at Virginia Tech University’s Department of Wood Science and Forest Products. His current extension and research program at VT focuses on improving efficiency in sawmills and lumber drying operations. He also teaches the University’s course on Wood Drying and Durability. To be blunt, he’s an expert when it comes to hardwood flooring.
If you’re interested on what Dr. Bond has to say on the issue of splits and checks in hardwood flooring, then you’ll definitely want to check out The Hardwood Flooring Summit’s upcoming white paper. In addition to the interview with Professor Bond, the paper will also include technical information on checks and splits.
