At Castles Flooring, we take immense pride in the precision of our woodwork, installation, and refinishing services. We stand firmly behind the skill and dedication of our craftsmen, which is why we back our work with a 3-Year Limited Workmanship Warranty.
This Warranty Policy outlines our commitment to you, detailing what is covered under our workmanship guarantee, what falls outside our scope of control, and how we handle warranty claims.
1. Our Workmanship Guarantee
Castles Flooring warrants to the original property owner that all installation, sanding, staining, and finishing work will be performed in accordance with National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) industry standards.
- Coverage Period: 3-Year Limited Workmanship Warranty from the date of project completion.
- Who Is Covered: This warranty is granted strictly to the original purchaser and is non-transferable.
- What We Guarantee: If a defect in our installation or refinishing labor manifests within 3 years of project completion, Castles Flooring will inspect, repair, or refinish the affected area at no labor cost to you.
2. What Is Covered (Installation & Refinishing Labor)
Our warranty covers issues directly resulting from improper application or installation errors made by our team during the 3-year coverage window, including:
- Fastening & Adhesion: Loose boards, popping, or squeaking caused directly by improper nailing, cleating, or adhesive application during our installation.
- Finishing & Sanding Errors: Sanding marks (drum chatter or swirl marks), finish peeling, or finish delamination caused by improper floor prep or application of stains and polyurethane topcoats.
- Transition & Trim Work: Loose stair treads, stair nosing, or baseboards installed by Castles Flooring during the original project scope.
3. What Is Excluded (Conditions Out of Our Control)
Because hardwood is a dynamic, natural product that reacts continuously to its environment, Castles Flooring cannot warrant issues caused by environmental changes, site conditions, natural wood characteristics, normal wear and tear, or improper floor maintenance over the 3-year period.
A. Natural Wood Character & Color Variations
- Natural Product Variations: Wood is an organic product containing inherent variations in grain pattern, color, knots, and mineral streaks. These unique characteristics are features of real wood, not defects.
- Color Matching & Aging: Exact color matching to existing flooring, furniture, trim, or showroom samples cannot be guaranteed due to natural wood aging, dye lot variations, and differences in lighting.
- Sunlight Discoloration: Natural fading, yellowing, or color shifting of wood or stain over time due to UV exposure.
B. Environmental & Climate Factors
Wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature. The following are not installation defects:
- Seasonal Gapping, Cupping, or Crowning: Gaps between boards during dry winter months or minor cupping/buckling during humid summer months due to uncontrolled indoor air.
- Failure to Maintain Relative Humidity: Homeowners are required to maintain indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50% and temperatures between 60°F and 80°F year-round. Damage resulting from unmaintained HVAC systems or extreme climate swings is excluded.
C. Water, Moisture & Subfloor Deficiencies
- Water Damage & Flooding: Plumbing leaks, appliance overflows, wet mopping, steam mops, standing liquids, pet accidents, or flooding.
- Subsurface Moisture: Concrete slab hydrostatic pressure or ground moisture exceeding initial testing levels after installation is complete.
- Moisture Mitigation Opt-Out: If Castles Flooring recommends subfloor moisture mitigation (such as roll-on moisture barriers or specialized adhesives) and the customer declines or opts out in writing, all warranties regarding moisture-related failures, cupping, buckling, or finish delamination are completely void.
- Structural Subfloor Movement: Settlement of the building structure, joist deflection, or subfloor decay/rot not part of the original contracted repair.
D. Wear & Tear, Abuse, and Maintenance Errors
- Surface Scratches & Indentations: Scratches from pets, high heels, dropped objects, unprotected heavy furniture legs, or grit/dirt dragged across the floor.
- Chemical & Cleaner Damage: Dulling or finish damage caused by steam cleaners, pine oils, harsh chemicals, wax products, oil soaps, or wet-mopping.
- Gloss Reduction: Normal sheen reduction over high-traffic pathways over the course of 3 years.
E. Material & Third-Party Exclusions
- Manufacturing Defects: Defects in the milling, grading, or factory finish of pre-finished or engineered wood materials are covered solely by the Material Manufacturer’s Warranty. Castles Flooring will gladly assist you in filing a manufacturer claim.
- Third-Party Modifications: Any floor sanded, repaired, altered, or worked on by another contractor or homeowner after our job is complete immediately voids this warranty.
4. Homeowner Responsibilities
To keep your 3-year warranty fully valid, the property owner agrees to:
- Maintain proper indoor climate conditions (30%–50% RH) via HVAC, humidifiers, or dehumidifiers year-round.
- Follow proper curing instructions (e.g., no heavy furniture or area rugs for 30 days after finish application).
- Use approved cleaning methods (microfiber dust mop and NWFA-approved wood floor cleaners—never steam mops).
- Install felt protectors under all furniture legs and refrain from dragging heavy appliances across the floor.
5. Claim Process & Remedies
If you believe you have an issue covered under our 3-Year Craftsmanship Warranty:
- Submit a Written Request: Email us at Service@castleflooring.com within 30 days of noticing the issue. Include your original invoice, project address, and clear photos of the affected area.
- Right to Inspect & Cure: Castles Flooring must be granted the right to inspect the property and be given the first opportunity to correct any verified installation or finish defects. Hiring a third-party contractor or attempting self-repairs prior to a formal inspection by Castles Flooring automatically voids this warranty.
- Exclusive Remedy: If determined to be a labor or application defect, Castles Flooring reserves the right to repair, refinish, or replace the defective portion of the floor at our sole discretion.
6. Limitation of Liability & Legal Terms
Limitation of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by law, Castles Flooring’s total liability under this warranty is strictly limited to the labor cost of repairing or replacing the defective installation work, not to exceed the original invoice amount paid for labor. Castles Flooring shall not be held liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including but not limited to hotel stays, food costs, pet boarding, lost wages, storage fees, or moving expenses during warranty repairs. This warranty replaces all other warranties, expressed or implied.
Governing Law: This warranty shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington. Any legal action or dispute arising out of this warranty must be filed in the courts of King County, Washington.