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ARCHITECTS AND SPECIFIERS BUYER'S GUIDE:
How to Specify Maple Athletic Floors

Welcome

Welcome to the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association's Architects and Specifiers Buyer's Guide! From specification of the maple surface material and the subfloor system to the condition of the concrete slab beneath it all, the MFMA is a respected resource for technical information and guidance in today's competitive market for hardwood sports floors. Armed with the information and insights contained within this guide, architects can streamline the process of successfully specifying a northern hard maple athletic floor.

This guide is divided by subject area. Click on the Table of Contents links below to go to the topics of your choice. All sections can be downloaded individually, or you can download the entire Buyer's Guide by clicking HERE.

Table of Contents

About the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA)
Why MFMA Northern Hard Maple Is the Most Popular Choice for Sports Flooring
But Aren't We Running Out of Hardwoods?
Selection Considerations for Your Project
Specifying an MFMA Maple Sports Flooring Subfloor System
Specifying an MFMA Maple Sports Flooring Surface
Sample Specifications for MFMA Maple Sports Flooring Surfaces
Matching Your MFMA Subfloor System and MFMA Surface Material Choices
Maple Subfloor System Specification Worksheet
MFMA Maple Sports Flooring Installation
MFMA Sports Flooring System Maintenance
Residential MFMA Maple Flooring Installations
MFMA Resources and Additional Information

About the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA)

The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) is the authoritative source of technical and general information about maple flooring and related sports flooring systems. MFMA's membership consists of manufacturers, installation contractors, distributors and allied product manufacturers who subscribe to established quality guidelines. Through cooperative member programs, MFMA establishes product quality, performance and installation guidelines; educates end users about safety, performance and maintenance issues; and promotes the use of northern hard maple (Acer saccharum), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) and beech (Fagus grandifolia) flooring products worldwide.

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Why MFMA Northern Hard Maple Is the Most Popular Choice for Sports Flooring

MFMA northern hard maple flooring is the predominant surface material for indoor athletic facilities worldwide. Why?

• Physical Characteristics - MFMA northern hard maple (Acer saccharum) is dense, strong, supremely durable and remarkably hard. Perhaps surprising to architects and specifiers, MFMA northern hard maple is 12% harder than red oak, and 7% harder than white oak. Due to the shorter growing seasons north of the 35th parallel, MFMA northern hard maple is close-grained, hard fibered, resistant to slivering and splintering, and polishes well under friction. MFMA northern hard maple has an unusual ability to resist pointed pressure without abrasion. It is easily covered with attractive finishes.
• Aesthetics - MFMA northern hard maple flooring has a natural beauty. The natural light color is more visually pleasing to athletes, compared to darker hardwoods such as red or white oak. MFMA northern hard maple is densely grained with rich, consistent color and fewer imperfections than other hardwood species. The natural light color also provides an excellent contrast to paint used to stripe floors for such activities as basketball and volleyball.
• Resiliency and Performance - MFMA northern hard maple is an organic product consisting of patterns of fibers and air pockets which give it a natural shock-absorbing quality. These characteristics, combined with specially designed and engineered subfloor systems, deliver performance and safety for a variety of sporting and activity applications. MFMA northern hard maple flooring is suited for a variety of uses, from residential to institutional.
• Environmental Responsibility - Contrary to what you may have heard, we are not running out of hardwoods. U.S. government forest statistics show that there were 70% more hardwoods in 1997 than in 1952. Each year, nearly twice as many cubic feet of timber is added to the U.S. hardwood forest inventory than is harvested. Further, wood is the only natural resource on Earth that is at once renewable, recyclable, biodegradable and re-useable. The energy required to grow our timber supply is free - it comes from the sun. And, although wood accounts for almost half of the total annual industrial raw material tonnage consumed in the U.S., lumber and wood product manufacturing processes account for only about 4% of energy consumed by U.S. industrial raw material manufacturers.
• Quality Assurance - Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association member mills are subject to periodic unannounced third party inspections to assure strict adherence to MFMA rules governing continuity of specie, millage and grading of MFMA maple flooring products. For 103 years, architects have relied on MFMA's quality assurance when determining what surfaces to specify for their athletic flooring installations. The MFMA grading stamp is every architect's assurance of consistent quality - make sure you specify it.
• Research and Resources - MFMA has authorized an independent testing agency, Case Consulting Laboratories, to test floor finish products in accordance with strict standards. This program provides architects with valuable floor finish comparison and selection data. In addition, MFMA Headquarters maintains a complete library of research studies and technical literature provided to architects free of charge. The range of literature covers subfloor systems, installation techniques, floor sealers and finishes, game markings, maintenance procedures and more. Contact MFMA headquarters to update your library.

With these and a variety of other reasons, it is not surprising that MFMA northern hard maple has been architects' first choice for indoor athletic surfaces for more than a century. MFMA beech (Fagus grandifolia) and MFMA yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) flooring also make fine choices for athletic flooring installations, and your MFMA Manufacturing Company member can provide you with a variety of surfacing options made from these species as well.

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But Aren't We Running Out of Hardwoods?

The short answer is no. MFMA maple flooring is a renewable resource. Here are some details that you may find of interest:

• There are 730 million acres of forests in the United States -- one-third of the nation.
• Hardwoods have increased in every region of the United States. Every day, the forest industry, together with federal and state forest agencies, plants over 6 million more trees.
• In 1986, the United States consumed 5 billion cubic feet of hardwoods. In that same year, 9.5 billion cubic feet of timber was added to the U.S. hardwood forest inventory.
• Forest Statistics of the United States, 1997, shows that the U.S. grows far more hardwoods than are harvested each year.
• There were 70% more hardwoods in 1997 than in 1952.
• In 1952, 180 billion cubic feet
• In 1997, 305 billion cubic feet
• Wood is the only natural resource on Earth that is at once renewable, recyclable, biodegradable and re-usable. The energy required to grow our timber supply is free. It comes from the sun.
• Although wood accounts for almost half of the total annual industrial raw material tonnage consumed in the United States, lumber and wood products manufacturing processes account for only about 4% of energy consumed by U.S. industrial raw material manufacturers.
• More than one million Americans are employed in the forest products industry. Many millions more, employed in the home construction, home furnishing, transportation and heavy equipment industries, owe their jobs to this one basic industry that converts harvested timber to finished products.

*This information is provided by the Evergreen Magazine and the National Hardwood Lumber Association's Forest Resource Fact Book.

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Selection Considerations for Your Project

When considering which flooring system is best suited for your installation, it is important to consider different attributes of each system. These system characteristics will help you decide which system is best for the installation and may eliminate some choices. Always consider the following characteristics: Cost, Appearance, Elevation Requirements, End Uses for the Facility, and Performance Characteristics of the Floor. Here are some quick pointers for each:

Cost
Cost should be viewed in two ways: installed cost and life cycle cost. If compared solely by installed cost, wood athletic flooring can be more expensive than synthetic materials. Wood athletic flooring systems are less expensive to maintain and last considerably longer than their synthetic competitors. MFMA has additional information about Life Cycle Costing if you wish to compare various surfaces for your clients.

The cost of MFMA maple floors varies from manufacturer to manufacturer depending on the subfloor system selected for the project, and the quality and type of surface maple specified for the installation. Most MFMA manufacturers' subfloor designs can be matched with a variety of MFMA maple surface materials to meet your project's budget.

Appearance (Aesthetics)
Appearance is a subjective specifying consideration. All MFMA maple floors will have different aesthetics based on the type of flooring specified (strip, finger jointed strip, parquet), the MFMA grade of flooring specified (First, Second and Better, Third and Better, Third Grade, or Utility Grade), the selection of gameline paints and color schemes, and the type of finish you specify for the installation. Your client may desire a basketball court that looks like the Boston Celtics' patterned floor, or may want the look of a strip floor. When specifying MFMA maple sports flooring, be sure to ask your client what they expect the flooring to look like when it is installed. This will help you to recommend the appropriate maple surfacing materials as well as properly choose paints and finishes to give your project the desired finished appearance. Remember, grading of maple flooring products affects aesthetics - not performance.

Slab Depression/Floor Elevation Requirements
This is an extremely important specifying consideration on a retrofit project. Some subfloor designs are low-profile, while others are higher-profile. Be advised: sports flooring system profiles are not necessarily an indication of surface performance characteristics. MFMA manufacturers can provide you with slab depression requirements for all of their subfloor systems.

When specifying sports flooring in a new installation, consult with MFMA manufacturers to obtain the proper slab depression measurements for the system(s) you are considering for the project.

End Uses for the Facility/Performance Characteristics
Performance characteristics are important considerations when choosing the subfloor system and MFMA maple surface materials. Make sure you consider the appropriate performance characteristics for the activities that the installation will regularly experience.

Consider the following performance characteristics when choosing a floor system:

Shock Absorption: As an athlete impacts a sports surface, the impacting force is translated into two resultant forces -- one absorbed by the floor and the other returned to the athlete. While hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt provide little or no force reduction for the athlete upon impact due to running, jumping or falling, MFMA maple sports floor systems absorb these impact forces (shock) and are rated by the percentage of force reduction they provide as compared to hard surfaces. For example, a sports floor with a force reduction value of 60% will absorb 60% of the impact force and return 40% of that force to the athlete. Since different sports make different demands on athletes, various force reduction characteristics may be prescribed for various sports.

Shock absorption should be considered for any sports floor installation.

Vertical Deflection and Area of Deflection: The measurements of both area and vertical deflection are interdependent. However, in the total scheme of performance characteristics, the two together form a criterion for deformation control.

Vertical deflection deals with vertical displacement of the flooring surface during impact, for athletes performing in close proximity to each other. For example, an average-sized person jumping on a concrete floor would transmit zero vertical deflection, while that same person jumping on a trampoline may create a vertical deflection of several inches. The area of deflection is a measurement of the surface of the floor set into motion during impact. A person jumping on a trampoline, for example, creates a very wide area of deflection. Someone jumping on sand creates a very limited area of deflection.

Consider deformation control when activity will be congested on the floor.

Ball Bounce: The measurement of a basketball's response reflecting (rebounding) off the maple surface as compared to its response off a hard surface such as concrete is referred to as ball bounce. At 100% rebound, the basketball reflects to a height equal to its response off concrete.

Ball bounce may not apply to all sports activities.

Surface Friction: Often called the coefficient of friction or sliding coefficient, this characteristic is used to measure a floor's ability to control the sliding of athletes on its surface. For an MFMA sports flooring system, the surface friction must be high enough to prevent premature and uncontrollable sliding of athletes on its surface, but also low enough to permit sliding off an extreme force (such as that from colliding with another athlete) when such a force is exerted upon an athlete. In addition, there may be federal and local requirements to be incorporated such as those enforced through the ADA.

Surface friction is a direct function of the finish on the surface and carries equal importance in all activities.

Rolling Load: Due to the potential damage to a wood floor system caused by some maintenance machines and game equipment, the rolling load characteristic is very important to all MFMA sports floors. This characteristic is applicable to rolling loads caused by rolling equipment and furniture. Additional provisions to protect the floor should be considered for items such as high lifts, portable backstops, bleachers, etc. To meet the demands of various users, sports surfaces today must be designed with consideration for the transportation and use of rolling equipment and furniture.

Compression Strength (a.k.a. maximum crushing strength): Though this is not a performance characteristic per se, the compression strength (or maximum crushing strength) of hardwood flooring is another important criterion to consider when specifying a sports floor. While MFMA northern hard maple has one of the strongest compression values of all hardwood species, it is important to evaluate the point loading effects of using portable backstops, bleachers, equipment carts and gym equipment on the floor. It is recommended that the owner consult with the equipment manufacturer when specifying the proper wheel for use in the facility. When designing your athletic facility, know the weights and stresses to which your flooring will be subjected.

Sports Activity		Multipurpose Sports	Basketball	Volleyball	Aerobics & Dance	Raquet Sports	Roller Skating
Performance Characteristics	DIN Requirement
Shock Absorption	53% minimum
Vertical Absorption	2.3 mm minimum
Area of Deflection	15% maximum
Ball Bounce	90% minimum

= Very Important

= somewhat important

= not applicable

Please note: Performance criteria are interdependent. A higher or lower value for any of the performance characteristics addressed in this Buyer's Guide may influence other characteristics in the flooring system. Variances are also inherent in performance test data on a single floor. Floors tested in accordance with DIN 18032 Part 2 will exhibit a range of values for each performance characteristic.

The above matrix is a general guideline to assist in determining which performance guidelines to consider when selecting an MFMA maple sports flooring system. It should not be used as a specification for a specific system. If you need additional information about performance characteristics or DIN 18032 Part 2 standards, contact MFMA Headquarters at 888/480-9138. For specific performance data on MFMA maple sports flooring systems you are considering, contact that MFMA Manufacturer Member. A complete list is located on the last page of this Buyer's Guide.

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Specifying an MFMA Maple Sports Flooring Subfloor System

Now comes the hard part - deciding what subfloor system to specify for your project! MFMA manufacturers have spent years testing and developing a host of subfloor systems to meet the needs of athletes and other facility users alike.

There are three basic subfloor designs: floating systems, fixed systems, and anchored resilient systems. Floating systems are exactly what they sound like - they "float" over the concrete substrate, and are not mechanically fastened to the concrete slab in any way. Fixed systems are mechanically fastened by some method (anchor pins, screws, adhesive, etc.) directly to the concrete substrate. Anchored resilient systems are mechanically fastened to the concrete substrate, but have a combination of components that allow varying degrees of additional resiliency within the subfloor system. There are benefits and drawbacks to each basic design category depending on the unique parameters of your project.

Start your specification decisions by asking questions: Who will be using this floor? What activities will be performed on the surface? How often will the facility be used in an average year? Is the facility going to be subjected to long idle periods? What is the climate in the area of the installation? What types of HVAC systems can I specify for the space? Is the installation below-grade, on-grade, or above-grade? Answers to these and other questions will help you to eliminate subfloor designs that are inappropriate for your project.

Proprietary Anchored Resilient Subfloor System Designs
Multiple combinations of steel, wood, composite metal, plastic, neoprene, and rubber are signatures of most anchored resilient subfloor systems. Each MFMA Manufacturer Member has created its own proprietary menus of combinations from which to choose. Depending on answers to the questions previously cited, your MFMA Manufacturer Member may recommend one or more anchored resilient subfloor designs that will meet both the needs and design parameters of your project. Anchored resilient subfloor systems combine features of both floating and fixed systems.

Proprietary Fixed and Floating Subfloor System Designs
Each MFMA Manufacturer Member also offers a variety of proprietary fixed and floating systems that they have developed in some cases for specific applications. Each one has unique features and benefits. Keep in mind that some of these subfloor systems have been designed for particular site conditions or expected uses (i.e. below-grade installation, installation in an area of widely varying humidities, use in an aerobics facility, use for modern dance stage, etc.).

"Generic" Anchored Resilient and Floating Subfloor System Designs
Most proprietary anchored resilient, fixed and floating subfloor system designs have evolved over the years from the designs of a number of "generic" MFMA subfloor systems. Each of these systems has been on the market for many years, and has been successfully installed in hundreds of facilities worldwide. We refer to them as "generic" because the basic designs are not patented by one MFMA Manufacturer, and each system is generally available from all MFMA Manufacturer Members. The following is a short description of each of the "generic" MFMA subfloor designs.

Resilient Pre-Engineered Fixed Panel System: This system consists of resilient pre-engineered fixed panel system with MFMA Maple flooring stapled or nailed to the resilient subfloor. This system provides the stability of an old fashioned fixed system but with resilient properties similar to a floating system.

Resilient Fixed Plywood Sleeper with Continuous Subfloor System: This system consists of resilient fixed plywood sleepers with a continuous subfloor system with MFMA Maple flooring stapled or nailed to the resilient subfloor. This system provides the stability of an old fashioned fixed system but with resilient properties similar to a floating system.

Cushioned Sleeper System: The cushioned sleeper floating-floor system consists of 2" x 3" x 4' (nominal) kiln-dried hemlock, spruce, pine or fir sleepers installed over 3/8" x 2 1/4" x 3" or 5/8" x 2 1/4" x 3" rubber or neoprene pads. The pads are mechanically fastened to the bottom of the sleepers and are generally spaced at one-foot intervals on the sleepers. The sleepers with pads are installed end-to-end at right angles to the direction of the finished maple surface with end joints staggered 24" in adjacent rows. Sleepers are spaced between 8" and 16" o/c depending on the thickness and grade of the maple flooring surface and the resiliency required for the project. The surface maple, sleepers and pads are installed over a seam-sealed 6 mil. polyethylene vapor barrier.

Cushioned Sleeper with One Layer of Plywood System: The cushioned sleeper with plywood floating-floor system consists of 2" x 3" x 4' (nominal) kiln-dried hemlock, spruce, pine or fir sleepers installed over 3/8" x 2 1/4" x 3" or 5/8" x 2 1/4" x 3" rubber or neoprene pads. The pads are mechanically fastened to the bottom of the sleepers and are generally spaced at one-foot intervals on the sleepers. The sleepers with pads are installed end-to-end at right angles to the direction of the finished maple surface with end joints staggered 24" in adjacent rows. Sleepers are spaced 12" o/c, and a layer of 15/32" x 4' x 8' APA rated, 4-ply CDX plywood is installed over the sleepers at either a 45 or 90 degree angle to the direction of the finished maple surface. The surface maple, plywood, sleepers and pads are installed over a seam-sealed 6 mil. polyethylene vapor barrier.

Double Plywood System: This low profile floating floor system consists of two layers of 15/32" x 4' x 8' APA rated, 4-ply CDX plywood generally installed at 45 and 90 degree angles to the direction of the finished maple surface. 3/8" x 2 1/4" x 3" or 5/8" x 2 1/4" x 3" rubber or neoprene pads are mechanically fastened to the underside of the bottom layer of plywood and are generally spaced at one foot intervals (32 per plywood sheet). The surface maple, plywood and pads are installed over a seam-sealed 6 mil. polyethylene vapor barrier.

Basket Weave Floor System: This system consists of an all wood subfloor configured in a way to provide resilience and stability.

Questions You Should Ask When Specifying a Subfloor System Design
Ask questions of the manufacturer(s) of the systems you are considering, such as: Why did your firm develop this subfloor design? Are there particular site conditions or end uses for which this subfloor design is particularly well suited? Are there particular site conditions or end uses for which this subfloor design is ill suited? Your MFMA Manufacturer Member will be able to supply you with answers to these and other related questions.

Specifying the proper MFMA maple sports flooring subfloor system can be a challenging exercise. Seek the advice of professionals - the MFMA Manufacturing Company Members. Their design teams and technical staffs can help you wade through the daunting number of options and arrive at the choice that meets all of your objectives.

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Specifying an MFMA Maple Sports Flooring Surface

There are several types of MFMA maple surfacing products from which to choose. Within each type, a number of different grades of flooring are commonly available. Your specifying decision should be based on a number of factors, including cost, appearance, and suitability over your specified subfloor. Many facility owners have a "picture" in their minds of what the finished floor should look like. It is important to ask questions of your owner before you specify a particular MFMA surface maple product. Will multiple sports and games be held on the floor? Will the facility be used year-round? Will the facility be used for special events, as a cafeteria, or as a community-gathering place? Does your owner have certain expectations for the finished appearance of the floor? Answers to these and other questions will help you to determine the appropriate surface material to specify for your project.

Once you determine the type of MFMA maple flooring that you wish to specify, you must also determine the grade of MFMA maple flooring product that you wish to be installed on your flooring surface. Again remember, the various grades of each type of MFMA maple flooring products primarily affect aesthetics - not performance. For detailed information about standard grading of MFMA maple flooring of all types, contact MFMA Headquarters at 888/480-9138 or see our website for detailed grading rules and descriptions of each type and grade of flooring currently available.

MFMA maple flooring comes in three basic configurations: random-length strip (the most popular and most common), finger-jointed strip, and parquet. Each of these surface materials can be installed in a single direction, or can be laid in patterns such as a checkerboard, chevron, etc. Here are basic descriptions of each type of MFMA flooring:

Random-Length Strip: Individual pieces of flooring, typically 1 1/2", 2 1/4", 2 1/2", or 3 1/4" wide, with lengths between 9" and 8'. The most common thickness specified is 25/32", but 33/32" and 1/2" thick random-length strip flooring is also available. This surface material is installed like a horizontal brick wall, with each piece being overlapped with adjacent pieces and fastened into the subfloor with cleats, staples or steel clips, depending on the subfloor chosen for the project. Most MFMA subfloor configurations are compatible with MFMA random-length strip flooring.

Finger-Jointed Strip: A number of random-length strip segments joined together at the manufacturing plant to form a consistent length board, typically 2 1/4" wide. The most common thickness specified is 25/32", but 33/32" and 1/2" thick finger-jointed strip flooring is also available. This surface material is also installed like a horizontal brick wall, with each consistent-length board being overlapped with adjacent boards and fastened into the subfloor with cleats, staples or steel clips, depending on the subfloor chosen for the project. Most MFMA subfloor configurations are compatible with MFMA finger-jointed strip flooring.

Parquet: MFMA hard maple parquet flooring is manufactured in square and rectangular panels in a variety of dimensions. Individual picket widths range from 7/8" to 1-1/8", and picket lengths range from 5 1/2" to 12". Minimum thickness of MFMA parquet flooring is 5/16". Individual pickets, assembled into panels, are either joined together by wire, mesh, or tape on the back of the panel, or paperface on the front (or surface) of the panel. MFMA parquet flooring is typically installed directly to the concrete substrate using adhesive/mastic, or over subfloor systems that contain continuous subfloors (plywood or similar).

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Sample Specifications for MFMA Maple Sports Flooring Surfaces

HOW TO SPECIFY MFMA RANDOM LENGTH STRIP FLOORING

MFMA Random Length Strip flooring is the surface material most frequently specified for sports flooring applications. When writing your specification for MFMA Random Length strip flooring, specify as "MFMA -RL (Random Length) strip flooring," and list the required species, grade, and thickness. A typical specification should appear as follows:

2.1 Materials

A. Flooring shall be MFMA-RL (Random Length) Northern Hard Maple, 25/32" thick x 2 1/4" wide, Second and Better Grade; T & G and EM; grade marked and stamped as produced by an MFMA member manufacturer.

HOW TO SPECIFY MFMA FINGER JOINTED STRIP FLOORING

MFMA Finger Jointed strip flooring is specified in a similar manner as MFMA Random Length strip flooring. For example, when ordering MFMA Finger Jointed strip flooring, specify as "MFMA-FJ (Finger Jointed) strip flooring," and list the required species, grade, and thickness. A typical specification should appear as follows:

2.1 Materials

B. Flooring shall be MFMA-FJ (Finger Jointed) Northern Hard Maple, 25/32" thick x 2 1/4" wide, Second and Better Grade; T & G and EM; grade marked and stamped as produced by an MFMA member manufacturer.

HOW TO SPECIFY MFMA PARQUET FLOORING MFMA

Parquet flooring is specified in a similar manner as MFMA Random Length Strip flooring. For example, when ordering MFMA Parquet flooring, specify as "MFMA-PQ (Parquet) flooring," and list the required species, grade, thickness and picket size. A typical specification should appear as follows:

2.1 Materials

A. Flooring shall be MFMA-PQ (Parquet) Northern Hard Maple, 5/16" thick, Second and Better Grade; fastened together in panels using mesh, tape or wire backing or paper facing; grade marked and stamped as produced by an MFMA member manufacturer.

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Matching Your MFMA Subfloor System and MFMA Surface Material Choices

So far so good. You have an idea of the types of subfloor systems available, and probably already have a couple of options in mind for your project. You are also familiar with a variety of maple surface materials, and can explain the differences to your customer. The next important step is matching your chosen MFMA subfloor system with an appropriate MFMA maple surfacing product.

Many subfloor systems and maple surface materials are designed to be specified together. Ask your MFMA Manufacturing Company representative if your chosen subfloor and maple surface are compatible.

The following worksheet was developed to assist architects and specifiers in working through the most common decision factors encountered when evaluating MFMA subfloor systems and MFMA surfacing materials. This worksheet summarizes the information detailed elsewhere in this Buyer's Guide, and can serve as an important tool to assist in the selection of the most appropriate subfloor design and surface materials for a particular installation. Copy this worksheet, and use it on all of your projects for which a sports flooring design decision needs to be made.

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Maple Subfloor System Specification Worksheet

The Specification Worksheet is available for download as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. To view this file, you will need Microsoft Excel installed on your computer.

Download the worksheet (17 kb)

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MFMA Maple Sports Flooring Installation

Once you complete your subfloor system and surface material specification, there is one final item to include in your specification. You should specify that your chosen sports flooring system be installed by an MFMA accredited installation company.

Why? Because this requirement assures you of dealing with reputable, experienced professionals who successfully complete hundreds of similar installations as their primary business. Most MFMA Manufacturing Company Members' warranties also stipulate that installation must be completed by contractors who are familiar with the installation techniques and methods unique to sports flooring systems. You owe it to your customers to provide an airtight specification, and to select a contracting firm that can provide the quality assurance that is critical on projects of this magnitude. See the current list of MFMA Sport Floor Contractor Members on the MFMA website (www.maplefloor.org) for an installer in your local area.

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MFMA Sports Flooring System Maintenance

A maple surface requires considerably less maintenance than other sports flooring products. However, proper maintenance is critical for preserving the durability and lasting beauty of any wood product.

MFMA has published information on daily, weekly, periodic and annual maintenance that is available to architects, specifiers and facility owners and managers at no charge. Additionally, MFMA has produced several videos that address selection, installation and maintenance issues. These videos are available for a nominal fee. Contact MFMA Headquarters at 888/480-9138 or consult our website at www.maplefloor.org for detailed information to pass along to your customer.

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Residential MFMA Maple Flooring Installations

MFMA MAPLE FLOORING: The Logical Choice for Your Clients' Homes
Over 100 years of research, application and unmatched product performance have made MFMA northern hard maple solid strip flooring the most widely specified and installed sports surface in North America. With such a reputation, it's no wonder that MFMA Maple is quickly becoming the preferred flooring material for residential applications as well.

Overall, wood flooring is quickly regaining a strong market share in the floor covering industry. More and more homeowners and commercial tenants are turning to the natural beauty of wood for aesthetic and health benefits. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is currently working to regulate indoor air quality. According to their list of poor air quality sources, carpeting, among many other sources inside the home and office, contributes to poor air quality due to its makeup of alcohols, formaldehyde, 4-methylethyl-benzene, 4-phenylcyclohexene, and styrene. Within the selection of wood floors, consumer preferences are shifting toward lighter colored woods.

MFMA northern hard maple is regarded as the premium specie among hardwoods. MFMA maple is dense, strong, remarkably hard and extremely durable. Its unique character offers a wide range of uses and a natural lighter color that complements all home furnishings from ultra contemporary to country decor. The quality of this premium hardwood begins in the northern forests above the 35th parallel where shorter growing seasons and longer winters produce a densely grained maple with rich, consistent color and fewer imperfections. MFMA Maple is subject to stringent grading rules that create three grade choices: First, Second & Better and Third Grade. First Grade is the most commonly used in the residential market. For more detailed information, you may contact MFMA Headquarters for a copy of the one of the Grading Rules for Hard Maple booklets, or ask your installer for a copy. The MFMA Certification Mark embossed on the underside of every strip certifies that the flooring is guaranteed by the manufacturer to conform to the MFMA-established standards covering species, quality and grade. Each piece is also marked with the MFMA mill identification number. Without these markings, the flooring is not certified by MFMA for grade, quality or specie. The following is a resource guide provided by the MFMA for those who may be considering installing maple flooring in their home or business. We recommend these items be discussed with the MFMA flooring installer BEFORE installation begins.

Typical Widths and Thicknesses
MFMA random length strip and finger jointed strip maple flooring is manufactured in the following widths: 1-1/2", 2-1/4" and 3-1/4".

MFMA random length strip and finger jointed strip maple flooring is available in two thicknesses: 25/32" (most commonly selected) and 33/32".

Bleaching and Staining
Due to the extremely tight cellular structure and the variable grain patterns inherent in northern hard maple, the MFMA does not recommend bleaching or staining. Northern hard maple does not stain and/or bleach uniformly and attempts to stain or bleach may result in a mottled, blotchy appearance.

Moisture Control
Wood is a hygroscopic material. When exposed to varying temperatures and humidities, it will release or absorb moisture until it is at equilibrium with the home's surrounding atmosphere. Moisture absorption causes wood to swell; moisture loss causes wood to shrink. The MFMA recommends that the environment (where the maple will be installed) be stable when the flooring materials arrive -- air temperature between 55 and 75 degrees and relative humidity between 35 and 50 percent. To properly acclimate, the maple should be stored in the room where it will be installed. After installation, maple flooring, as is the case with all wood flooring products, typically requires a year or two to further stabilize through a complete cycle of seasonal changes. The floor will continue to respond to environmental changes throughout its life span.

As an architect, it is very important for you to understand how dry or humid conditions will affect your clients' wood flooring. All wood will react to changing environmental conditions.

Separations: The appearance of shrinkage cracks during dry winter months is common and expected. These separations will normally close in the spring and early summer, as the floor picks up moisture from the air. We recommend the use of a humidification/dehumidification system in the home to maintain proper humidity levels. Remember that maple is a very light colored wood. Shrinkage separations in the range of 1/64" to 1/32" will be noticeable due to the break in color between the strips. Noticeable shrinkage and/or expansion may occur with indoor relative humidity variations in excess of 15 percent. If cracks persist, and the indoor atmosphere has been maintained properly, contact your flooring installer.

Squeaks: Squeaks in the floor can also be caused by the expansion/contraction cycles and can be minimized by maintaining a constant indoor environment (see above).

Cupping: A "washboard" appearance across the width of one piece of flooring has only one cause - moisture imbalance through the thickness where the moisture content is higher on the bottom of the board than the top. The moisture source, be it excessive relative humidity or water leakage, must be eliminated before any remedial work is performed.

Acclimation
MFMA maple delivery to the job site should be scheduled to allow for proper acclimation. Upon delivery, the maple flooring should be placed in the room where it will be installed to begin its acclimation. The flooring's moisture content, the geographic location and time of year must be taken into account by the installer for proper acclimation. All "wet" trades (i.e. painting) should be completed before the flooring is delivered. Heating or air conditioning should be in normal operation during the acclimation period. MFMA maple should be installed on or above grade only. Below grade installations are not recommended.

Expansion Spacing
The amount of expansion that is required in a nailed-down maple floor system will depend upon the season of installation, the humidity conditions and size of flooring area. As a rule, however, at least 3/4" expansion space must be left at the perimeters and all vertical obstructions in the floor. In some situations, expansion joints ("washer rows") will be required within the floor itself. Consult your MFMA flooring installer for additional information.

Radiant Heat
MFMA maple flooring may be installed over concrete slabs in which radiant heating pipes are embedded. Slightly higher water temperatures may be required, however, and boiler temperature should be controlled to limit the temperature of the slab surface to about 85 degrees. There are a number of important precautions to follow in this situation. Please discuss these with your MFMA flooring installer.

Sealers & Finishes
There are many different types of penetrating sealers and surface finishes available to specify for your solid hardwood floor. While sealers can be used alone on the floor, generally they are applied as an undercoat for a finish. In the finish category, oil-modified polyurethanes, moisture-cured urethanes, Swedish finishes, and water-based urethanes are the typical products applied. Advantages and disadvantages are inherent in each product. We recommend that you discuss these options with your MFMA flooring contractor.

Maintenance on an MFMA Residential Installation
Never use water on wood. Soaps, detergents, "oil soaps," wax removers, polishers and so on, will damage the wood and finish and leave a discoloring residue, making refinishing difficult. It is very important to keep the floor surface free from dust, grit, sand and abrasive particles. Dust mopping and vacuuming at least once a week is recommended. Cleaning agents are also available for use on the finished floor. Ask your installer or finish manufacturer for more information.

We are confident that your clients will enjoy their MFMA maple flooring for many years to come. In fact, with proper care and maintenance, most MFMA maple floors will last for generations. That's a product well worth investing in!

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MFMA Resources and Additional Information

The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association has produced a library of technical information designed for specifiers, architects, end users, and other professionals. Below is a complete list of available publications and videos:

Literature:
Caring for your MFMA Maple Floor (Wall Chart)
Floor Finish List & Specifications
Grading Rules for MFMA Northern Hard Maple Finger Jointed Strip Flooring
Grading Rules for MFMA Northern Hard Maple Strip Flooring
Grading Rules for MFMA Northern Hard Maple Parquet Flooring
Incidence of Injury Study: Maple Flooring vs. Synthetic
Life Cycle Cost Study Summary and Cost Comparison Worksheet
MFMA Maple Flooring: Today's Preferred Sports Surface
MFMA Game Markings Manual
MFMA Guide Specifications (for "generic" subfloor systems)
MFMA Maple Flooring: The Logical Choice for Your Home
Performance Characteristics Guide
Sanding, Sealing, Court Lining, Finishing and Resurfacing of Maple Gym Floors

DVDs:
"Your Next Sports Floor: Things You Should Know" (12:00 VHS)
"Playing For Keeps" (9:50, VHS, English and Spanish versions included). Proper care & maintenance of your MFMA sports floor.

Should you or your clients have any additional questions, or if you would like to receive a current list of our members or any other detailed technical information, please call us at 888/480-9138, write us at MFMA, 111 Deer Lake Road, Suite 100, Northbrook, Illinois 60062.

Disclaimer: This MFMA Maple Buyer's Guide is designed to provide general information to specifiers and consumers. MFMA, its members, officers and agents disclaim any responsibility whatsoever for the accuracy or applicability of these guidelines under all circumstances and conditions.

Copyright © 2001, Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

MAPLE FLOORING MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
111 Deer Lake Road, Suite 100
Deefield, IL 60015 U.S.A.
Phone: 888/480-9138
Fax: 847/480-9282
Website: www.maplefloor.org
Email: mfma@maplefloor.org

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