Hardwood Flooring Dos and Don’ts

A traditional flooring option that has been relied upon for centuries, hardwood offers a high-end look that can be easily integrated into any interior design style. Along with its coveted appearance, hardwood flooring will also add structural strength to properties. Although it is a versatile flooring choice, hardwood does have some requirements. Take a look below at the most important hardwood flooring dos and don’ts:

• Choose a hardwood species that will stand up to the type of foot traffic you expect in the area you wish to have it installed; the Janka Hardness Scale will inform you about this
• Consult the terms and conditions of your purchase, including all warranty and maintenance information
• Hire a professional installer if you have little or no experience installing hardwood floors.
• With unfinished hardwood flooring options, consult contractors and manufacturer recommendations about which finish, or stain is most appropriate for your choice of hardwood flooring
• Choose an appropriate moisture barrier to rest between the subfloor and your 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 immediately

• Install hardwood flooring in an area that will be subject to excessive moisture. This means avoiding an installation in “below grade” locations (like 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 as it can cause damage
• 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 options that are 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 more detail on how to install and maintain a hardwood floor , it is helpful to talk directly with the professionals. Valuable resources include contractors with experience installing hardwood floors, and BuildDirect’s knowledgeable product experts. Call 1-877-631-2845 or email sales@builddirect.com if you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you.