Hardwood Flooring Dos And Don'ts

Overall, hardwood flooring is not just an option which relies upon tradition, although hardwood flooring has been relied upon for centuries. What hardwood flooring offers is the luxury of choice and an ease of integration into an interior design. Along with the advantages of appearance, hardwood is and continues to be a choice in flooring that can add structural strength to a residence or office.

• Choose a species of hardwood which will stand up to the type of foot traffic you expect in the area you wish to have it installed

• Consult the terms and conditions of your purchase, including warranty information

• Hire a professional installer if you have little or no experience in installing a hardwood floor.

• With an unfinished hardwood flooring option, consult with contractors or local retailers about which finish or stain is most appropriate for your choice of hardwood flooring

• Choose an appropriate moisture barrier to rest between subfloor and hardwood flooring in order to add another level of protection

• Expect color variations, as hardwood is a natural material.

• Use DRY mops and vacuums to keep your new hardwood flooring clear of dirt and dust

• See to your pets - nails, spills,"accidents", and other issues

• Install hardwood flooring in an area that will be subject to excessive moisture. This also means avoiding an installation "below grade" (in a basement for instance) or in bathrooms

• Install hardwood flooring in an area that is not environmentally controlled all year long - say, in a cottage or summer home that is not constantly maintained

• Use wax-based cleaners or harsh detergents that will dull the finish of the hardwood flooring

• Use steel wool or any other abrasives to clean a hardwood floor

• Use excessive water when cleaning a hardwood floor

• Walk on your hardwood flooring with athletic spikes or high-heels

• Install hardwood flooring over radiant heat. For this, it is best to consider engineered hardwood flooring which is designed to allow for the temperature variations resulting from radiant heat

• Leave damp rugs on the surface of hardwood flooring for an extended period.

For a more comprehensive list of dos and don'ts and for more details in general, it's always best to talk to the professionals directly. Contractors and sales reps that specialize in hardwood flooring can often serve as excellent resources before, during, and after your hardwood flooring purchase.