Hardwood flooring for today’s homes.
Though durable and beautiful, hardwood floors require care and consideration for flawless performance.
Hardwood flooring is both beautiful and durable. It is a lifetime investment that increases both the value and aesthetics of your home. However, it is important to understand some of the inherent characteristics of a hardwood floor before you make your final decision.
- Hardwood flooring will scratch and dent. The term “hardwood” simply means that the tree from which the wood was harvested was a broad leafed dicotyledonous tree (a tree that produces seeds that develop into two leaves). It is important to choose the correct wood for your application in order to minimize denting and scratching issues, keeping in mind that ALL wood floors will dent and scratch. That’s why talking to a showroom assistant about your specific needs is so important.
- Hardwood floors are hygroscopic. This means that they will take on and give off moisture like a sponge, causing the flooring to expand and contract as the humidity in the room changes. Separations, or gaps, between boards are common when the humidity is low, such as in the winter. The key is to keep the humidity in the home between 35% and 55% year round. The use of a humidifier in the winter and a dehumidifier in the summer will help lessen this issue; however some movement is almost unavoidable. The wider the flooring, the larger the gaps will be. If humidity control isn’t constant in your space, try gluing down an engineered hardwood to lessen the chances of seasonal movement.
- Hardwood flooring is photosensitive. This means that it will change color when exposed to light and air. When an area rug or piece of furniture is moved after several months, the hardwood floor underneath will likely look different from the surrounding flooring. Rearrange furniture or area rugs frequently.
- Never clean your hardwood floor with water or a water mixture, only use professional cleaning products provided by the place of purchase. Never steam mop a hardwood floor.
- Hardwood flooring is not intended to look like a table top. Flooring is manufactured from a lower grade of wood than furniture. Small face checks, mineral streaks, and other blemishes are acceptable in a hardwood floor (keep in mind the flooring is intended to look good from five feet away, not five inches).
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Invest in high quality floor mats and protective pads on heavy furniture for an extra layer of protection on your hardwood floors. Place floor mats at entrances and exits—they collect and trap corrosive substances that can be tracked in, like dirt, sand, oil, grit, asphalt, or even driveway sealer. Placing mats in high-traffic areas—in front of vanities, kitchen sinks, and stoves—is an effective way to reduce wear.