How its Made Hardwood Floor

How its Made Hardwood Floor

Hardwood Flooring Manufacturing Process

This transcript explains the process of manufacturing hardwood flooring, from drying the wood to applying varnish.

Drying and Cutting

  • Workers stack freshly sawn wood on racks in a large dryer.
  • The moisture content of the wood is reduced to 7% over a period of 10 days to a month.
  • After drying, workers cut the wood into standard sizes using an optimizer that calculates the most efficient use of each plank.

Molding and Sorting

  • A machine called a molder carves tongues and grooves into each piece for easy assembly.
  • Workers check frequently to ensure that the pieces fit together snugly.
  • The pieces are sorted by grade based on quality and color variations.

Finishing

  • The prefinished flooring runs through a sander to prepare it for varnish.
  • Up to eight coats of varnish are applied, with some containing wood stain for certain finishes.
  • Ultraviolet lamps dry each coat in just a few seconds.

This transcript provides an overview of the manufacturing process for hardwood flooring. It does not cover installation or maintenance.