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Hardwood Floor Installation

ESSENTIAL TIPS ON HOW TO BUY AND MAINTAIN HARDWOOD FLOORS

Hardwood floors are one of the most popular types of flooring used today. They come in a vast variety of materials and styles, depending on personal budget and preference. Most homes in the United States now have hardwood floors in at least a few sections. People prefer hardwood floors more than any other type of flooring in their living and dining rooms. And why not? After all, hardwood floors tend to create an impression of warmth and space in your home, making for a lovely and inviting home environment!

The first thing that you need to consider when you’re thinking of getting a hardwood floor is the level of work involved. If you’d rather do the hard work on your floor by yourself, you can opt for an unfinished hardwood floor. However, if you’d just like to have it installed and ready for use, you’re better off with a pre-finished one! After this comes the decision as to the type of material preferred for the hardwood floor. A few common types are the maple, pine and oak wood floors. Some exotic woods also make the grade, and are preferred due to their increased hardness factors.

Now that you know the different types of hardwood floors, it’s time to do a bit of research into the specific properties and hues of each. Pine is a good option, but most people do not like the look of pine after installation. Nonetheless, pine comes in a variety of choices that can fit into your budget. Oak is the most preferred of all, especially if it is unstained so that you can stain it any color you want after installation. Exotic woods tend to have a higher hardness factor, which makes them more durable against hard knocks.

It’s always best to consult an installer before you order your flooring material, especially if this is your first time installing a hardwood floor. Also look into the added cost of installing the flooring, storage of furniture, transport of flooring materials, additional installation materials and so on to come up with the right estimate of what the hardwood floors are going to cost you.

Hardwood floors, once in place, are quite easy to maintain, especially in warm climes. In dry weather, wood contracts. This shrinking effect causes slight cracks in your hardwood flooring. This is why a humidifier is essential. Other major steps of maintenance include:

1) Vacuuming, mopping and cleaning with a soft broom daily to remove dirt and dust. This is because dirt easily spoils the finish of hardwood floors.

2) Placing rugs in areas that experience more traffic. This keeps the hardwood from wearing down fast and enables the finish to last longer.

3) Placing floor protection pads under the legs of all sticks of furniture.

4) Before entering the area, clean your shoes on a rug placed strategically at the entrance.

These hardwood maintenance tips enable your hardwood finish to last and look better for longer!