Welcome to our hardwood flooring resource hub! Here, you'll find valuable insights and tips for optimizing your hardwood floors. Whether you're navigating installation, seeking maintenance guidance, or exploring trends, we've got you covered. Our goal is to enhance your hardwood flooring experience, so explore additional resources for care tips and design inspiration to ensure your floors stand the test of time.
Prefinished hardwood flooring adds beauty and value to any home. Each wood species has unique characteristics that are influenced by the conditions of its maturation, which result in exceptional and individual floors. Pre-finished hardwood floors are typically factory finished in a controlled environment, ensuring a uniform and very durable finish. These floors can be rejuvenated through screening and recoating.
Each species has distinct characteristics in color and grain patterns, depending on its origin within the tree. Natural variations in color and grain are normal, contributing to the wood floor's beautiful and unique appearance, akin to natural stone. Such variations make each floor nearly one of a kind.
Solid hardwood is consistent wood throughout, while engineered hardwood has a hardwood veneer on a cross-ply wood base, providing dimensional stability. Engineered hardwood is recommended for dry climates like Arizona due to its versatility.
No sub-floors are perfectly level, leading to occasional hollow sounds where the surface dips and ridges. While this doesn't affect hardwood integrity or installation, it's a normal part of the flooring experience. All hardwood floors will naturally fade, darken, or change shades over time, with sunlight exposure accelerating this process. To maintain even aging, window treatments and regular rotation of area rugs and furniture are recommended.
Start at the doorstep to shield your hardwood floor from wear and tear. Strategically place walk-off mats or area rugs at every entryway to capture dirt and grit that could harm your pristine floor. Avoid rubber-backed or non-ventilated mats, opting for those designed explicitly for hardwood floors.
Equip yourself with quality tools to combat dirt effectively. Use a high-quality cleaning broom, mop, and vacuum cleaner. After removing dirt and grease, consider buffing to restore your hardwood floor's natural luster. Cleaning methods vary based on your hardwood floor's installation and finish. For "Finish in Place" or "Pre-finished” floors, use an 8” x 14” terry cloth mop with a rotating head paired with a professional wood floor cleaning product recommended by Baker Bros.
Never wax a floor with a urethane finish; opt for cleaners that leave no film or residue. A hardwood floor cleaner is excellent for occasional scuffs, but avoid ammonia cleaners or oil soaps. Minimize water exposure during cleaning, as excessive water can lead to swelling, cracking, or splintering.
For extensive wear, screening and recoating provide rejuvenation by abrading the current polyurethane finish and applying fresh coats. Severe damage might necessitate sanding and refinishing, mainly applicable to solid wood flooring. This meticulous process involves sanding the floor if screening and recoating prove insufficient. Regular maintenance and informed cleaning ensure your hardwood floor remains a lasting, elegant feature of your home.
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