Hardwood is one of the most timeless flooring materials, and well-maintained hardwood floors can greatly enhance the visual appeal of your home, giving it a rustic charm. However, hardwood can be very susceptible to damage such as dents, scratches and moisture damage, especially if it is not properly taken care of. In this post, we take a closer look at some common issues faced by hardwood floors as well as important care and maintenance tips to help you maximise the lifespan of your hardwood floors.
Common Issues with Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are easily susceptible to many different kinds of damage, including:
- Scratches and Dents: Because wood is an organic material, it is much softer than materials such as metals. This means that it can also be easily scratched or dented by objects such as metal chair legs.
- Moisture Damage: Wood is an organic material susceptible to moisture damage, which may cause it to warp or rot over time.
- Insect Damage: Insects such as termites can also burrow into your hardwood floors and cause significant damage, reducing their structural integrity.
Precautionary Measures
To help you ensure that your hardwood floors last as long as possible, there are some precautionary measures that you can take, including:
- Avoid heavy shoes and high heels on hardwood floors as these may place too much pressure on the floors, creating dents in the wood.
- Use felt pads or furniture coasters to ensure that the legs of furniture don’t accidentally cause scratches to the flooring.
- Placing rugs or doormats at the entrance of your home to reduce the amount of dirt and debris that is tracked inside.
Care and Maintenance Tips
Here are some important care and maintenance tips that can help you protect your hardwood flooring:
Regular Cleaning
Cleaning your hardwood floors regularly can help ensure that they don’t get dirty over time and lose their lustre. When cleaning hardwood, it is crucial to avoid using chemicals or excessive water, as these may potentially damage the wood.
Resealing and Refinishing
As the need arises, you should also consider resealing and refinishing your hardwood floors. Hardwood floors can be refinished multiple times to restore their lustre. At the same time, resealing can also help you ensure that the protective coating on top of your hardwood floors continues to protect the underlying wood from moisture or insect damage.
Designing Your Dream Home with Australian Heritage Homes
Australian Heritage Homes is a leading firm of boutique home builders based in Melbourne. Our team of building contractors has been helping local residents design and build the homes of their dreams for decades. No matter the type of flooring you want for your home, we can help. If you want to bring your dream home to life, contact us today for a free consultation and find out what we can do for you!