Understanding and protecting your hardwood floors
Understanding the characteristics of hardwood, as well as proper care and maintenance will help ensure that your new hardwood floor holds up and provides many years of satisfaction.
Relative Humidity – Control humidity by use of a dehumidifier or humidifier, depending on the season. The National Wood Flooring Association recommends maintaining a relative humidity range of between 35 – 55%. Some exotic species of wood are recommending 40%-50 Relative Humidity. Levels outside of this range could result in cupping, gapping, or even delamination with engineered hardwood.
Why do hardwood floors make noise? – As the hardwood floor expands and contracts due to changing humidity and temperature levels, you may hear some crackling noises. This is normal and you should not be concerned.
What are some edges slightly higher than other? – Wood flooring is milled to certain tolerances established by individual manufacturers. When cutting any natural product, a slight difference is common and is a characteristic of hardwood floors.
Why is the color of my wood different under my rug or couch? – Extreme sunlight may have an effect on the color of wood as it ages. Rugs and furniture located in the same place for long periods of time can affect this change in color. Some exotic woods can change more rapidly than traditional wood species. Moving furniture and rugs will keep your floor well blended. Any areas that are covered and, therefore, not exposed to the light can change color at a different rate than the parts of the floor exposed directly to the light.
Dents, Scratches – Dirt, grit and sand are your hardwood floors worst enemies. They act like sandpaper on the finish, causing scratches. Place floor mats at entrances to trap dirt and prevent damage. Minor scratches can be repaired with a wood finish touch up kit. Extensive scratching can be repaired using a process called “screen and recoat”, which eliminates all the dust and mess associated with a complete “refinish”.
How do I maintain my hardwood floor? – Non-stainable door mats can help prevent debris and dirt from being tracked in onto your hardwood floor. Sweeping or dry mopping is key to keeping a hardwood floor looking good. A vacuum may be used, as long as you DO NOT use the beater bar.
Never Use Oily Soaps – Oil based soaps and wax-based cleaning products may damage or permanently dull the finish of your hardwood floor. They can build up and create a cloudy haze on your floor. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made specifically for hardwood floors are recommended. Do not use Steam Cleaners on Hardwood Flooring.
Never Wax a Urethane Floor – Most hardwood floors today have a UV cured urethane finish; never use a paste wax on a polyurethane finished floor. Paste waxes may form a sticky film on your hardwood floor finish allowing tracked in dirt to stick to your floor.
UV cured urethane finishes will not adhere to paste wax. Refinishing an older wax finish hardwood floor with a urethane coating will be very difficult or impossible to do.
Furniture – Lift furniture when moving it. Dragging it across the floor can cause damage. Felt floor protectors used under the legs will help prevent scratches and clean them regularly. Trapped grit under the felt pads will severely scratch your hardwood floor. Chairs with rollers and casters can be very hard on hardwood finishes as they tend to pick up dirt and debris that can scratch the finish.