Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring enhances the look of any room. In fact, it actually increases the value of your home. Many home buyers scour old houses looking for original hardwood flooring underneath the carpet to restore. Even most new home builders have wood floors in at least one room or the entry hall.

Hardwood floors add elegance to any room.

Besides increasing the value of your home, installing or restoring hardwood floors offers benefits to you as a homeowner.

New stains and technological advances make wood floors easy to maintain. Often, a quick vacuum or sweep of the floors is all it takes to clean them. Periodically you should clean them with a product recommended for wood floors.

Wood is ecologically friendly since it comes from a natural source, trees. It is easy to recycle, in more than one way. Often the wood from old barns, wooden ships and wooden buildings is recycled into a wood floor for someone’s home or business.

Dust and mites cannot hide in wood floors the same way as they do carpet. Since dust cannot seep into the wood, wood floors are easier to maintain and better for those who suffer from allergies.

Having hardwood flooring is a benefit when it comes time to selling your home. Real estate agents say that houses with wood floors sell faster and at a higher price than homes with carpet. The elegance the floor brings to the home is customizable with throw and area rugs.

Carpet needs to be replaced every eight to 10 years, depending on the wear and tear. In most cases, hardwood flooring can last forever. You do not need to worry about the costs of hiring someone to clean your floors twice a year to maintain a good look. Though wood floors will probably need to be refinished at some point, when properly taken care of they are much easier to maintain.

These factors make hardwood flooring a more economical choice in the long run.

To avoid having to refinish your hardwood flooring, proper maintenance is important.

• Only use products designed for your type of floor and finish. Other products can damage the floor, make it slippery and dulling the finish.
• Do not wet mop your floor. Standing water can warp your floor while dulling the finish. Wipe up any spills immediately with a slightly dampened towel.
• Place rugs in high traffic areas and places that are consistently in direct sunlight. Use felt gliders on the bottom to protect the floor from getting scratched.
• Soft plastic or felt gliders on the legs of furniture stop unnecessary scuffing of the floors.
• When moving furniture, try to avoid sliding it. Pick it up and carry it out of the room instead.
• Use a humidifier during the winter to avoid wood shrinkage and movement.
• If you have wood floors in the kitchen, find an area rug to place in front of the sink to protect it from the water.
• Be careful not to overwax the floors. If the wood looks dull, try buffing it instead.
• Do not wear shoes in the house, especially those with high heels and cleats.

Every few years you need to refinish your floors. This involves sanding it down and reapplying a finishing product to protect and seal the wood. If you chose to do it yourself, you need access to a drum sander. Be careful not to gouge the floor. If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself, hire a contractor.

If your floor has a lot of scratches and dings, it is a good candidate for refinishing.

You can also test your finish with a tablespoon of water. Find an area where your floor gets the most traffic. Pour the water on the floor.

• If it beads, the floor is properly finished.
• If it seeps in and darkens the floor slightly, add refinishing to your list of things to do in the near future.
• If the water soaks in immediately and leaves a dark spot, it is time to refinish today.

If you are looking at getting hardwood flooring for your home, do your research. There are numerous types of floors, woods, and finishes to choose from. If you are worried about taking care of your floors, you may want to look at laminate flooring that looks like hardwood.

Hardwood flooring is a great addition to any home. Carefully maintain it for the best look and value.

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