Wooden floors can provide practically any interior a stunning appearance. It can range from deep, warm shades to light, contemporary tones. You can make your flooring as unique and beautiful as your home’s design with different variations to choose from.
There is a misconception that wooden flooring is only used in rustic or country designs, however, in reality, dark stained flooring can be used to promote stainless and glass used in more modern contemporary interiors, while lighter colored wooden floors are perfect for brighter rooms. Wooden flooring can blend together the best features of modern and classic designs.
Using wooden flooring should take extra planning, but the visual impact can create an inspiring look for any room. Here are some initial steps to consider:
- Invest on a good kind of solid wood, choose one that is really ideal and meant for flooring
- Apply the proper finish to make it resistant to moisture and keep its beauty for years such as wax, sealers or polyurethane
- Properly maintained floors may never require replacement but if it is exposed to heavy toot traffic, food spills, or pet mischief, have the surface sanded every 7 to 10 years or whenever you notice worn areas, loss of stain color, or gouges.
Basic Maintenance
- Daily sweeping with a soft bristle broom.
- Regular dusting with a dry microfiber mop
- Vacuum once or twice a week to remove dust from the floor gaps.
Dos and Don’ts
- No need to ask guests to remove shoes to avoid dirt and stains. Just put doormats at every doorway to help prevent debris from being tracked in and scratching the floor.
- Avoid walking on your wood flooring with damaged high heels, especially with exposed nail. This can damage any floor surface. Don’t drag high heels on wooden floors even if its not damaged either
- Do not use water, wet-mop or steam-mop to clean a wood floor. Water and steam will damage the wood and can even make the finish dull
- Immediately wipe off spills with a slightly dampened cloth
- Do not use tile-cleaning products, water and vinegar, soap-based cleaners on wood floors.
- Keep pet nails trimmed.
- Do not over-wax a wood floor. If a wax floor dulls, try polishing/buffing instead.
- Apply wax on corners and under furniture every other waxing session to avoid wax buildup
- It is best to pick up the furniture when moving it to prevent scratches.
- Place an area rug at the kitchen sink and cooking area.
- Put plastic gliders, rubber footings or adhere felt pads to the bottoms of all chair and table legs.