How does Armstrong guard against insect activity in our solid wood flooring products?
As a standard practice, we process our lumber in kilns at temperatures above 130-degrees Fahrenheit, and for a duration of time, that exceed the minimum standards required to eliminate any insect activity. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has verified it is not possible for insects, including active powderpost beetles to survive this process. For this reason, this type of kiln-drying is commonly referred to as kiln sterilization with respect to the treatment of the wood for insects in manufacturing. Accordingly, powderpost beetle activity in our wood floors — pre-finished or unfinished – is not attributed to an infestation of the raw material before or during manufacturing and is not typically considered a deficiency in the manufacture of the product. When is solid hardwood flooring vulnerable to powderpost beetle (Lyctid) infestation? • Prior to kiln sterilization of the lumber • After manufactured floor product leaves our control (during warehousing) • After installation wh
