Frequently Asked Questions

01. How old is the principle of “balanced construction”?
02. What makes Virtu Floors more stable?
03. Why aren't there more 3-layer, true balanced floors available?
04. What is the wear layer compared to regular flooring? Is there “less life” in a Virtu floor compared to
       a solid wood floor?
05. Can I specify Virtu for in-floor, radiant heat conditions?
06. There is a lot of 2-ply flooring in the market, with a top layer of wood glued to 1/2" or 5/8" plywood.
       Why should I specify Virtu Wood Flooring over 2-ply engineered?
07. Is your wood “old growth”?
08. Are your floors pre-finished?
09. Other floors are pre-finished. Why not Virtu?
10. What widths and lengths are available?
11. What grades are available?
12. Why don’t you use plywood in the core?
13. Is the core a different species?
14. Why are there no grooves in the back of the board?
15. Should my builder / flooring installer order the wood?
16. Do you have a minimum order?
17. Can I use Virtu if I do not have room for a NWFA approved sub-floor?
18. How long should Virtu flooring be on-site before being installed?
19. Does Virtu import any products?
20. What is quartersawn lumber?
21. Why does Virtu use quartersawn lumber?
22. What is the difference between quartered and rift lumber?

16. Do you have a minimum order?

Technically no, but smaller quantities do cost more to produce, and that is reflected in the price.

17. Can I use Virtu if I do not have room for a NWFA approved sub-floor?

Every job has unique conditions, and we cannot say for sure, but the natural stability of Virtu enables successful installations in places where other flooring would fail.

18. How long should Virtu flooring be on-site before being installed?

The amount of time that solid wood flooring should be stored in the job site environment before being installed is generally referred to as the acclamation period. There is no acclamation period with Virtu because the core does not shrink or swell. As a result, acclamation is not required with Virtu. It is ready for installation as soon as it is received, which saves both time and the cost of labor.

19. Does Virtu import any products?

All Virtu products are proudly made in America.

20. What is quartersawn lumber?

With quartersawn lumber, the growth rings of the timber are generally perpendicular to the broad face of the board. This is accomplished by cutting a log into quarters and then cutting a single board off one face and then cutting the next board from the opposite face. Boards are then cut from alternating faces until the quarter is completely utilized. The aesthetic qualities of quartersawn lumber are evident in its beautiful grain patterns. By comparison, in plain sawn lumber, the growth rings are more parallel to the broad face of the board. Quartersawn lumber produces both quartered and rift lumber.

21. Why Does Virtu use quartersawn lumber?

Generally speaking, quartersawn lumber reduces shrinking and swelling in wide plank widths and reduces twisting, warping and cupping. It is also less prone to exhibit surface checking and tends to wears more evenly. Specifically, the stability of quartersawn lumber is why Virtu considers it virtuous.

22. What is the difference between quartered and rift lumber?

The differentiation between rift and quartered grain is seen predominantly in the various species of oak. Quartered oak exhibits medullary ray patterns called “flake” that run perpendicular to the grain. Rift oak produces a board that exhibits clean, straight, vertical grain patterns.