subject: The Long And Short Of Caring For Wooden Flooring [print this page] Wood materials, be it solid wood, engineered wood or laminated wood, are popular materials for house construction especially on the floors and for good reasons, too. The warm tones, classic looks and beautiful grain patterns of wood like ash, maple and oak add the perfect finishing touches to a house. Such a fact is true for both classical and contemporary architectural designs.
Home owners, nonetheless, must take it upon themselves to know the right ways of caring for wooden floors both in the long-term and short-term periods. Wood being a relatively expensive material to work with, proper care is necessary to extend its life and, thus, enjoy greater value for money on its investment.
Short-Term Care:
Let's start with short-term care for wood floors. Take note that caring for wood floors in the short-term period will translate to longevity so be sure to adopt the tips suggested in this article.
The first tip is to protect the wood from scrapes and skids borne of contact with materials like wood, clay and stone placed on the floor. Little scratches not only ruin the look but also affect the integrity of the wood so these are best avoided as early as possible.
To do this successfully try:
Using high-quality mats and dirt scrapers on all exterior doors. This way, the dirt, small stones and grit clinging to shoes can be removed at the door before steeping on the wood floors.
Placing rugs on high-traffic areas like the living room so that skid marks from shoes, toys and pieces of furniture can be lessened, if not entirely prevented. This also applies to potted plants.
Re-coating engineered wooden flooring with either oil or lacquer before placing these on the floor.
Place felt pads or floor protectors on the legs of furniture like tables, chairs and cabinets so that the wood is protected from their markings. Be sure to replace these floor protectors regularly so as to avoid dirt, dust and grit from gathering under the furniture, too.
If possible, avoid wearing high heels on bare wooden floors. Slippers, trainers and sandals with sift insoles are better options.
Clip the nails of pets like cats and dogs to lessen scratches on the wooden floors.
Of course, it is imperative to clean the wooden flooring as recommended by the manufacturer. Said maintenance measures include sweeping, vacuuming and dust mopping the floors to remove dirt, dust and grit.
Be sure to use the appropriate cleaning materials. Never use wet mops, ammonia, bleaches on wood.
Long-Term Care:
Aside from the daily care required to maintain wood floors in top condition, it is also important to perform long-term maintenance procedures. For one thing, try to maintain average temperatures between the range of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and humidity of 35 to 55 percent. It is also a good idea to protect wooden floors from too much sunshine as it can mature the wood.
For another thing, sanding, lacquering and oiling the wood floors are necessary although these should be done only when required. Ask the manufacturer about the proper method and materials.
Indeed, the long and short of taking good care of wooden flooring is to be vigilant about the things, substances and activities that can ruin it. Keep in mind that a single, small damage can escalate into numerous, large damage on the wood so be vigilant.
