Questions About Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are beautiful and their rich tones can add luster and warmth to a home. If you are considering installing hardwood floors into your home, you may have questions about the type of flooring to install and how to care for your floors once they are installed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Pre-Finished vs. Finish-in-Place
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Pre-finished floors are prepared at a plant. They will be sanded and stained. Polyurethane will be applied to give the floors a glossy sheen and will secure the finish. Finish-in-place floors will be prepped inside your home before installation. This means that saw dust will coat much of the furniture in your home unless you properly seal off the room where the floor will be installed. The stain and polyurethane will also be applied inside the home. Dust from the installation can settle into the wet polyurethane so you may likely see dust in the topcoat.
Caring for the Floor
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Ensure your floor maintains its shine and luster by keeping it clean and caring for it properly. Use a broom to sweep dirt and debris off of the floor regularly. Vacuum your floor using a vacuum cleaner that does not have a beater bar or a long, rotating bar, on the bottom as it can scratch the floors. Vacuum regularly to get into the crevices between the boards to remove debris. Make sure you use a cleaning product that the manufacturer recommends for your floors as pre-finished floors may require different cleaning products than finish-in-place. Do not wax a floor with urethane products on them. Do not use ammonia or oil soap on the floors as they can dull the finish.
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Water Damage
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Water can cause the hardwood floors to swell, buckle or crack if it sits on the floors for a prolonged period of time. Never use water on the floors, and if water does accumulate on the floors as a result of a plumbing issue, dry the floors immediately. Open the windows in the room, use fans or a dehumidifier to dry the floors. Never use a heater to dry the floors as it can damage the wood permanently.
Protecting the Floors
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Protect your hardwood floors from being discolored by the sun. Hang window treatments to protect the floors. Move area rugs and furniture in the room to different locations throughout the year so that the floors evenly receive the sun's rays. Use protective covering on the legs of tables and chairs and other furniture to protect the floor from scratches. Keep the pets' nails trimmed and smooth and consider having guests remove their shoes, especially high heels, before they walk on the floors.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
