Many homes around the world boast an area of flooring made from wood. Whether you are a homeowner or a proud tenant of a house, the condition of your floors, in general, will likely be of importance to you. This even more so if you have timber floors. There are several ways to keep wooden floors immaculate while preserving their longevity, so look no further if this is a discussion that appeals to you.
Why Have Wooden Floors?
Globally, people are attracted to wooden floors as they are known as easy to keep clean. Additionally, people report that they complete the aesthetic of a space giving it a warm, luxurious, and more classic look. While it usually comes with a higher upfront cost, solid timber flooring, if maintained well, can last for decades. Timber flooring also provides an ideal surface for under-floor heating for households in colder climates and thus is a factor that attracts many. Nowadays with more providers of quality wooden flooring options, having hardwood floors has become more accessible to different budgets.
Better Option Than Carpets
Carpets, on the other hand, are often seen to capture more dust, debris, and mold. They are also less easy to maintain and keep clean and found by some to be a less hygienic flooring option. Carpets also unfortunately do not have the same life as wooden floors. If scuffed or damaged, it is relatively easy to have wooden floors resanded and repaired. It is certainly a lot more cost-effective than lifting and replacing an entire carpeted area.
Increases Your House Value
The number one reason that many people are drawn to having wooden floors, is that it is a feature found to significantly increase the resale value of a home. If you are selling your place, and you can advertise chic wooden flooring, then you are more likely to have some interested buyers who are appreciators of good, wooden floors. If you are in the market to buy and find a house with smart wooden floors, this will likely be a feature that allures you further.
The Magic To Keeping Your Wooden Floors Pristine
Remove The Dust
It is important to establish a regular dust-removing strategy to keep your wooden floors from becoming scratched and damaged by dust and dirt particles. Not only is removing dust helpful for preserving the integrity of your floors, but it will also be beneficial in preserving your health.
Wipe Up The Spills
One of the things to be aware of, to prevent damage to your floors, is to clean up spills immediately as they happen. This will prevent long-term staining and save you money and trouble down the line. If moisture is left for an extended period, mold can form and this can cause several issues, including darkening and rotting. You should also regularly mop your floors every few days using a damp, but not soaked, mop, or sponge. About once a week, it wise to do a thorough clean with a specialized wood cleaning detergent. Every 6 months or so, you can also apply a layer of varnish to keep that sleek sheen.
Refinish Your Floors
Every few years, you can pay for a service to come and do a thorough refinishing treatment of your timber floors. This process involves removing old finishing and reapplying a new layer. The service will also address any damage and stains to your precious floor space. If money is a concern, there are plenty of DIY tutorials available online to guide you through the process step-by-step.
Use Furniture Pads
To prevent marks on your timber floors from furniture, you can buy cheap and easy-to-apply, adhesive furniture pads to stick at the bottom of your pieces. Items like stools and dining room chairs that are regularly moved, as well as other heavy moveable objects will no longer scrape and damage that beautiful finish. The same goes for your pets. It is advisable to keep your dog’s and cat’s nail length to an acceptable length so that they don’t contribute to scuffing the floor with their paws.
Install Curtains or Blinds
To curb the issue of sun damage to your beautiful hardwood floors, having effective blinds or curtains to keep out the harsh sun rays will be helpful in the long run. Sun and excess heat can cause the wood to fade as it is a photosensitive material.
Wooden floors are a visually-appealing feature of any home, as well as sought-after for the many reasons they are seen as more hygienic and easy to maintain. They can also make a house more attractive to buyers. It is, therefore, important to know how best to preserve this important part of your home.
