Q: How do I Maintain my hardwood flooring?
A: To maintain your new or refinished flooring be sure to sweep regularly with a good broom,A vacuum with a hardwood floor setting is most effective at removing dirt from your floors.To maintain the integrity of your flooring you should always immediately wipe up all spills with a soft dry cloth .Reguardless of your floors finish it will lose luster if it's exposed to water.More serious damages may occur including but not limited to warping.
Q: Does the installation or refinishing of hardwood floors help increase the value of my home?
A: Research has shown that homes with harwood floors sell faster then comparable homes without hardwood. Like all other home improvements hardwood floors can increase the value of your home.
Q: How does harwood flooring compare to other flooring material?
A: Hardwood floors are recylable,require less energy to manufacture,and are better insulators then other materials.Hardwood flooring out preforms and outlasts almost any other flooring,and no material can match its natural beauty.
Q: What are some of the DO's and DON'TS of hardwood floor care?
A: Dirt,dust,and grit can damage your hardwood floors.Tracking dirt,dust,and grit can dull it's finish and cause scratches that can only be repaired by refinishing the floor.
DO: Vacuum frequently,using a canister vacuume with a special hardwood floor attachment.
DON'T: Use an upright vacuum with beater bars.They can cause dents in your floor's finish.
DON'T: Use any dust treatments unless it's approved by your floor's manufacturer. The wrong treatment can make your floors dull and cause problems the next time you refinish .
DO: Use doormats at the entrances of your home to help trap dirt and grit.Clean them regularly.
AREA RUGS
DO: Use area rugs or small sections of carpets placed inside your doorways and areas like kitchens where spills are likely.
DON'T: Use throw rugs with rubber or vinyl backing without checking to determine if they will effect your floor's finish. Some materials in the backing can react with certain floor finishes,discoloring or causing the finish to become dull.
DON'T: Let even damp throw rugs or scatter rugs sit on the floor. Check the rugs frequently and make sure damp rugs are removed.
DO: Move your area carpets or throw rugs occationally to maintain a uniform appearence in the floor's finish.
SUNLIGHT
The ultraviolet radiation in the sunlight can cause discoloration over time.
The ultaviolet rays that can burn and age our skin will affect any organic material,including wood. That's why the finest art collections are kept in rooms without windows.Prolonged exposure to the sunlight will change the color of virtually any wood floor,reguardless of the stain or finish. Some woods lighten when exposed to sunlight.Others, like cherry and oak, tend to darken. The newest water-based urethane finishes seem to slow color changes more effectively than oil-based urethane finishes,which tend to turn brownish-yellow or amber. Some finishes feature sunscreens to help block the penetration of ultraviolet rays,extending the time it will take the floor to change.
DO: Protect your floors by using sheer drapes,curtains,or blinds to limit sunlight.
FURNITURE
DO: Place glides made of felt or some other fabric under the legs of furniture to prevent scratches. Clean the gliders regularly to ensure that dust and grit do not become imbedded.
DO: Use barrel-type casters instead of ball casters to prevent dents.
DO: Use non-marking rubber casters instead of plastic or metal.
DO: Lift furniture when moving it to avoid scratches in the floors surface.
SHOES
DO: Make sure there are no exposed nails or metal heel supports on shoes that could scratch or dent the floor.
DO: Be aware that high heels can dent a hardwood floor.