FAQs
Why choose hardwood floors?
- Installing solid hardwood flooring in your home is a long-term investment and will often increase your property value more that the cost of installation. If you plan on selling your home in the future, hardwood floors are often a valued feature in buyers’ minds.
Hardwood floors offer better acoustics than many other options. A properly installed hardwood floor has a solid feel and sound, while other types of floors often sound hollow and promote vibrations. - Hardwood floors are low maintenance.
- Healthy indoor air quality: These floors are a healthy choice for interior environments. Wood has no fibers, grout lines or embossing that can trap dust, pollen, particles, animal dander and allergens. Carpeting in particular traps all these types of allergens. If you or someone in your family are allergy sufferers hardwood floors are the best choice for your home.
- Hardwood floors have an ageless quality to them. When other types of floors begin to look tired and worn, your hardwood floors will still look beautiful. And, your hardwood floors become more valuable with time. Unlike carpeting and vinyl, hard wood floors can be refinished rather than requiring replacement when they wear.
How do I care for my hardwood floors
Do’s for hardwood floor care:
- Use dry Swiffers to trap dust and grit effectively.
- Use canister vacuums with special bare floor attachments. These vacuums are the surest way to get rid of all the dirt and dust.
- Use wet Swiffers to clean any dirt that a vacuum or dry swiffer cannot remove. Add vinegar and water in a spray bottle and mist the floor and wipe with a clean rag or towel.
- Do lift furniture when moving — avoid dragging. Felt contacts under the legs will help prevent scratches.
- Do be aware that high heels can dent a hardwood floor.
Don’ts for hardwood floor care:
- Do not wet mop. Too much water could cause the wood to expand and buckle.
- Do not use an upright vacuum with beater bars. They can cause dents in your floor’s finish.
- Do not use any dust treatment unless it is approved by your floor’s manufacturer. The wrong treatment can make your floor dull and cause problems the next time you refinish. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made specifically for wood floors are recommended.
- Do not use throw rugs with rubber or vinyl backing without checking to determine if they will affect your floor’s finish. Some materials in the backing can react with certain floor finishes, discoloring or causing the finish to become dull.
- Do not let the sun discolor your hardwood floors. Close curtains and blinds or add sheer drapes to protect from the sun’s intense UV rays.
What is the difference between prefinished and unfinished floors?
Prefinished products have their durable finish applied at the factory. There is no sanding involved in the installation of prefinished floors. They are a good choice for an existing home, for someone who has problems with dust, or for a small area.
Unfinished floors do not come with a finish already applied. The floors must be sanded after installation. Then 3 coats of finish, usually polyurethane, are applied to the floors in order to complete installation.