5 FAQ questions asked about hardwood floors
Hardwood floors are a beautiful asset in any home; they are aesthetic and hardwearing. However some niggling questions might come to your mind about how to properly look after them or install them. Read these 5 frequently asked questions and their answers to put your mind at rest.
- How to keep hardwood flooring clean and looking like new?
- Should I buy prefinished or unfinished hardwood?
- How to prevent the colour of hardwood floor from fading?
- I don’t have enough money for installation. Can I just do it myself?
- I am worried about pets scratching the floor. What can I do to prevent this?
How to keep the hardwood flooring clean and look like new?
Regularly clean the floors by using a broom, a mop, and /or vacuum cleaner to remove all the dirt and grit.Many things you’ll bring in on your shoes, sand especially, can damage the finish. Use outdoor and indoor door mats and shoe cleaners to minimise dirt, debris and moisture at the entry halls before it reaches the floor.
Always keep the surface of the floor dry. Wipe up spills immediately using dry cloth to avoid moisture. Never allow spills to remain on the wood of your floors as it can cause them rot or discolour over time.
Walk barefoot on the floors to avoid scratches on the finish or causing dents in your floors. If your floors are looking a little dull use wood flooring cleaner recommended by the installer to renew the lustre following the directions labelled in it to get the best results.
Should I buy prefinished or unfinished hardwood?
If you want to match an existing hardwood floor with a new one in your home you may think of using unfinished hardwood,followed by application of a stain and finish. However this method may take up a lot of your time as finishing on site takes longer than just installing prefinished hardwood floors in your home.
Speaking of comfort, you may encounter inconvenience with dust from sanding and fumes from sealants while waiting for the work to be done at your home. If you want easy and hassle free installations then choose prefinished hardwood, it’s the best option to save you money and time. Or even better still get a professional floor installer to do it for you.
How to prevent the colour of hardwood floor from fading?
Hardwood floors naturally undergo subtle colour changes as they age. This natural process is called patina; it in itself will add beauty to the floor. But there are some factors that drastically affect the changes of wood colours, such as sun exposure. Prevent direct sunlight from hitting your flooring.
You can minimise heat exposure by closing your curtains to block the sun. Apply water-based finishes to retain the colour of the wood floors as it minimises long term colour changes.
I don’t have enough money for installation. Can I just do it myself?
Yes. If you are that DIY type of person then you can do the work yourself. We can offer supply only for wood floor installations, just remember to carefully read and follow the directions to get the best results. But if you don’t have the time to do it all yourself, we recommend hiring professional installers that meet your exact requirements.
I am worried about pets scratching the floor. What can I do to prevent this?
Prevent scratches on the floors by regularly sweeping up the dirt that your pets bring in. You can also keep your floor smooth and flawless by trimming your pet’s nails regularly. Place scatter rugs on the floor to reduce the dirt and grit reaching the floors. If your pet comes inside muddy and filthy just give them a wash before freerun of the house is given.
It is best to consult a professional contractor to ask for specific advice about repairing scratches and avoiding them next time.
5 FAQ questions asked about hardwood floors
Read and follow the tips to get the best results you ever desired.
Need help installing your hardwood floors?
Contact D.I.Y. Parquetry, Timber & Cork Flooring on 0409 081 679 to get your free quote today for all your flooring needs.