Flooring FAQs

Meritage planks are topped with a 4mm thick veneer of European white oak, responsibly sourced from European forests. Trees are selectively harvested according to their specific age, size, and level of maturity. We use European oak for its beautiful look (long, trailing knots and intricate grains) and higher density, which allows for longer, wider planks to be cut. The oak veneer rests over a foundation of layered acacia or whitewood plywood -- renewable, plantation-grown timbers. Using a fast-growing wood for the core allows planks to be larger, more dimensionally stable, and get 4x as much flooring from each tree.

Like any natural product, the European oak used in Meritage flooring has a good deal of color and grain variation. This is what makes each plank so unique and brings an authentic organic beauty to completed installations. Order multiple samples to get an accurate idea of a flooring style’s range, and when installing, mix and match planks from various cartons to get a well-blended look.

Customer safety has always been CALI’s top priority. We use only the highest-quality adhesives and manufacturing techniques to ensure our flooring is free of harmful chemicals. All our flooring is tested by a third party for formaldehyde.Every CALI hardwood floor is also FloorScore certified. Learn what it means to be

Like all natural wood products, Meritage planks will see some faint color change over time as they’re exposed to the home environment. Natural oxidation may make lighter flooring styles appear slightly darker.

Meritage planks are protected by a 7-coat aluminum oxide finish.

If the scratch is white, the finish has not been compromised and is repairable. Simply using a hardwood flooring cleaner, like Bona, should eliminate these blemishes. If the scratch is deeper but the raw wood is not exposed, light buffing with a microfiber cloth can shine up the dull area, and often, the damage becomes less obvious. For scratches that cannot be buffed out, use a CALI

If you have a minor chip or slight damage, this may be minimized using a CALI

Major modifications are not recommended and are never a guaranteed solution; all repairs are unique. Always seek assistance from an NWFA Certified Installer, and always test your chosen method on a sample plank beforehand. Refinished or recoated floors are not covered under warranty.

Floor noise is normal and will vary from one installation type to the next. Occasional noise is due to structural movement and may relate to the subfloor type, flatness, deflection, and/or related to the fasteners, changes in environmental conditions, relative humidity, and the amount of topside pressure applied to the flooring. For these reasons floor noise is not considered a product or manufacturer defect.