Hardwood Essential Guides and Maintenance:

What have I learned in 35 years of flooring about HARDWOOD FLOORING? It is amazingly beautiful and durable. A floor of authentic, rich hardwood adds an unmistakable air of elegance, class and charm to a room. That’s why choice of HARDWOOD flooring for home interiors is extremely popular. Hardwood flooring provides a unique combination of nature and alegance that no other floor covering can impart. It really adds a clear distanction and value to the space. Knowing someone’s style can tell you many things about him or her.

Traditional or exotic hardwood floors come in a huge variety of species, colors, and finishes. Hardwood floors are also available in various widths. In addition, added interest can be created by laying hardwood floors in unique patterns. And of course, you need to decide between solid wood floors and engineered wood floors.

Solid vs Engineered Hardwood Floors:

A solid hardwood floor is exactly that, solid wood. Each plank or strip is made of a single piece of wood. There are no veneers, no reinforcements, no anything just solid wood.

An engineered hardwood floor, on the other hand, is created by layering 2, 3, 5 or more thin sheets or plies of wood that are laminated together to form one plank or strip as a core and veneer on top which could be up to 1 mm to 6 mm thick.

The two floors look virtually identical. However, each option provides its own unique benefits.

Engineered hardwood floors offer improved stability, reduced chance of cupping, more sound absorption, reduced impact from moisture, and other benefits created by the strength of the multiple layers.

Solid hardwood floors offer greater flexibility in finishing and repairing because the floor can be repeatedly sanded, stained, and refinished. Plus, some people just want solid wood.

Hardwood Maintenance & Care:

Here are a few helpful tips that will keep your hardwood floor looking new, and help it last for years to come.

Wait Until the Floor is Cured Before Cleaning. Oil based polyurethane finish takes approximately a month to cure while most water based finishes take 2 weeks to fully cure.

Use Entrance Mats. By placing mats inside and outside of all entrances, you’ll trap soil before it gets tracked into your home.

Use a PH Neutral Cleaning Solution. Low PH levels (acidic cleaners) are good at cleansing, but not cleaning. High PH levels (such as soaps and detergents) are great at cleaning but can dull the finish over time.

Do Not “Wet Mop” Your Floor. Use a damp cloth or mop and then buff dry. Too much water can cause seepage between boards and damage the wood.

Have the Floors Professionally Recoated. Kitchen floors will need to be recoated every 2-4 years, and other rooms of the house should be recoated every 5-10 years.

Clean Frequently. Regular vacuuming, sweeping, and/or dust mopping will help maintain the beautiful finish of your hardwood floor. When vacuuming, make sure you do not use the beater bar.

Place Floor Protectors Under Furniture. Felt pads under chairs and other furniture can protect your hardwood floor from scratching and denting.

Clean Frequently. Regular vacuuming, sweeping, and/or dust mopping will help maintain the beautiful finish of your hardwood floor. When vacuuming, make sure you do not use the beater bar.

Place Floor Protectors Under Furniture. Felt pads under chairs and other furniture can protect your hardwood floor from scratching and denting.

Wear Slippers or Socks Around the House. Shoes track in dirt, sand, and other debris that can scratch or otherwise damage the surface of even the strongest floors.

Protect Your Floor from Sunlight. Intense sunlight can cause your hardwood floor to fade over time. Curtains, blinds, shades, awnings, and UV-blocking glass treatments can help maintain the color of your floor.

Move Area Rugs and Furniture Occasionally. Wood floors are bound to fade slightly due to exposure to light. By occasionally moving area rugs and furniture around the room, you can reduce any color irregularities that may occur over time.

Control the Humidity. Too dry of air (below 45% humidity) can cause your hardwood floors to shrink. Too damp of air (over 65% humidity) can cause floors to cup or warp. If your HVAC system does not adequately regulate the humidity in your home, you may need to use either a humidifier or a dehumidifier to obtain ideal conditions.

Never Over Wax. Wax build-up can dull the finish of your floor.

Buff Between Waxing. A quick buff can restore your floor’s sheen without having to go through the effort of waxing.

Follow Manufacturer’s Recommendations. Different hardwood finishes require slightly different care. Please carefully read and follow the recommendations from your manufacturer.

Touch up Nicks and Dents. Minor damage to a hardwood floor can normally be disguised with a touch up kits containing latex putty, wax pencils, or color-matched crayons.

Popular Hardwood floor links:( Hardwood Brands )

• Bruce Hardwood/
• Armstrong Hardwood/
• BR111 Floors/
• Hartco Flooring/
• Kahrs Hardwood Flooring/
• Mannington Residential Hardwood/
• Mirage Flooring/
• Shaw Hardwood/
• Lauzon Flooring/
• Preverco Products/
• Mullican Flooring/
• Pinnacle Flooring/
• Somerset Floors/
• Mohawk Flooring Hardwood/