Do you own beautiful hardwood floors? O are you perhaps interested in installing new hardwood flooring soon? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, then be sure to learn what you need to know about caring for such a valuable amenity. There are several approaches to cleaning and caring for hardwood, so let’s discuss the most common recommendations when it comes to maintaining long-lasting luster and performance.
Pros and Cons
Hardwood floors are a highly desired feature for any home or property owner. The brilliant shine and endless selection of finishes is enough to attract anyone to installing this type of flooring. It is a more expensive material than standard laminate flooring and look-alikes. And although there is nothing wrong with either of those alternatives, wood flooring has a distinctive appearance that can make any interior decorator drool.
The other downfall to wood floors, other than cost, is the amount of effort it requires to care for them. For anyone in the market for hardwood flooring, don’t be alarmed; there are many ways to keeping your floors looking like new with a few simple rules and tricks.
How to Keep Them Looking Like New
As for homeowners, try to avoid shoes, heavy foot traffic, and animals as much as possible. This is very important for aesthetic purposes. Furthermore, homeowners should use a dry, soft cloth or mop to gently sweep over the surface, every day.
As for a commercial building or business, wood floors will have to be protected in other ways since they experience more foot traffic. For example, protective wax sealants, regular cleaning, and daily sweeping can increase the longevity of luster and shine in its finish.
Be sure furniture has protective rubber stoppers on legs, or a rug underneath. This prevents excessive friction from furniture legs and reduces the likelihood of scratches and scuff marks. Also, use proper cleaning solutions when using soap or sanitizer. Its sensitivity and any wax coating can be jeopardized if a harsh chemical solution or soap is used. Be sure to buy solutions specifically manufactured for hardwood. This ensures you are not stripping any protective sealant or fading custom finishes.
Hardwood Floor Replacement
Wood floors can last for a very long time with good upkeep and maintenance; however, at some point they will need to be replaced. Hardwood floor replacement is an intelligent investment that can both increase your property value and instantly boost your interior appeal. When this time comes, be sure you choose a licensed general contractor who specializes in hardwood flooring. They will have the proper training and resources needed to provide professional guidance, qualified service, and outstanding results.