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Your Complete Guide to Hardwood Floors

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 19:53:43 GMT

There are many flooring options, but hardwood floors have always been one of the most popular because of their many benefits. If you bought a house with hardwood floors, or you're considering installing hardwood floors, you may have a lot of questions. If you would like to know more about hardwood floor benefits and maintenance, keep reading.

What Are the Benefits of Hardwood Floors?

One of the leading benefits of hardwood floors is their beauty. Hardwood floors have a timeless and versatile look. Hardwood is a neutral option, so you don't have to worry about making sure the floors, walls, and the rest of the room fit together cohesively.

In addition, cleaning the floor is incredibly easy because you can simply use a broom or cloth to remove debris. However, if you have pets, especially dogs with long nails, they may scratch the flooring. Other causes of dents may include chairs and dropping heavy items like pots or pans on the floor. Overall, however, hardwood floors are a durable option. In fact, with good care, hardwood floors can last between 30 and 100 years.

Finally, besides being easier to clean than other options like carpet, hardwood floors are better for indoor air quality. Carpets trap and hold onto irritants, which can get into the air, causing allergies and breathing complications. Poor indoor air quality can cause:

Coughing/sneezing
Itchy eyes
Running nose
Itchy skin
Irritated throat
Breathing difficulties
Asthma attacks

With hardwood floors, you can reduce the above symptoms often caused by dust and allergens trapped in the carpet.

What Type of Wood Is Best?

Naturally, hardwood floors are made from hardwood trees. Wood from softwood trees may be too weak, making it easier to chip, dent, and scratch the wood. However, there are many types of hardwood species to consider.

Some common hardwood choices include oak, maple, and hickory, but you can get more exotic choices for a more unique look. Of course, since they are less common and harder to obtain, exotic woods may cost more. 5-5 Ultimately, the best wood for you depends on many factors, including:

Price of the wood and installation
Wood hardness
Wood color
Woodgrain/design
Level of maintenance

How Do You Maintain a Hardwood Floor?

Naturally, part of maintenance is keeping the floor free of debris, but make sure to clean your hardwood floor properly. You should not use water or mops on your hardwood floor. Hardwood floors are good at resisting water, but they are not waterproof. If the hardwood starts to absorb water, it will swell. Once the wood dries, it shrinks and may crack or become more brittle.

For this reason, you should also clean up any spills as soon as possible. Failure to clean up spills right away may also lead to stains in the wood. You can, however, use a wood floor cleaner for stubborn grime or debris.

Finally, about every 5-10 years, you should refinish the floor. By adding finish, you better protect the wood from damage, especially moisture damage. Before applying the new finish, experts will buff the top layer of the floor. This removes many types of small scratches. If you would like the floor to look like new again a complete sanding and finishing is needed.

If you have a hardwood floor and it's looking a little worn, it may be time to consider having it refinished. With skilled technicians, your floor can look amazing again. If you would like to know more about hardwood floors and maintenance, or if you want to schedule an appointment, contact us at Sandmasters Hardwood Floors.

5 Ways To Care for Your Hardwood Floor if You Have Pets

Tue, 09 May 2023 17:49:57 GMT

If you're a pet owner, you must take care to ensure your Hardwood floors stay in good condition. Pets can dent, stain, and damage your hardwood floors, but with proper care and maintenance, you can ensure your floor looks its best for countless years to come.

Let's discuss five ways to care for your hardwood floor if you have pets, so you can enjoy the beauty of your floors without worrying about the damage caused by your furry friends.

1. Pet Pedicure

Keep your pet's claws and paws neat and tidy if you wish to preserve your hardwood floors. Ensure you trim their nails and after they are trimmed please take them for a walk if possible. The reason for this is that when nails are "clipped" they are jagged. By walking on pavement or concrete it will dull out the sharp edges that nail clippers may leave. If possible please check your pet about every two weeks to ensure your pets nails are not too long.

You can clip your pet's nails yourself or take them to an accredited groomer for help if you are hesitant to trim the pet's nails yourself.

2. Rugs

With the help of rugs and mats, you can safeguard your hardwood flooring from harm brought on by animal companions while simultaneously adding a burst of color or creativity to each space.

You can position these rugs and mats in heavy traffic locations like the foyer, between the rear door and a dog mattress, or near beverages and food containers where spills are likely to occur.

You can also utilize runners in corridors to enhance floor protection. Use rugs with nonskid soles or place down nonskid pads below rugs that are slippery, as a floor covering that slides can exacerbate damage and slip out of position, which can decrease the protection it provides.

Additionally, ensure the floor beneath the rug remains clean. A clean floor will shield the ground's surface from hair and debris that might gather beneath the rug.

3. Finishes

A good h ardwood floor finish gives the paws of your pet greater grip and friction, which ensures that they will not have to dig as deeply and will cause fewer dents to the surface.

4. Exercise

Walks can help dull and blunt your dog's nails as they scrape against rocks and asphalt. Walks can also lower their energy levels. Thus, regular walks keep them from rushing about and damaging the hardwood floors.

In addition to trekking with your dog, you can play fetch, engage in tug of war, or try agility exercises, which will help your canine companion burn energy. If your pet is particularly active, you should take them to a dog playground or a daycare center. Typically when an animal such as a dog walks across the flooring no damage is caused. When you play "fetch" or get an animal excited where they take off and run in the home and slide is where damage can occur.

5. Proactive Cleaning

Maintain routine and preventive cleaning to safeguard your wood floors proactively. Opt for an absorbent cloth, sponge, or mop to soak up any mishaps or spills as soon as they occur, as moisture can harm wood floors.

Also, apply a floor cleanser tailored to the wood's surface and finish. You should also sweep or vacuum up any dust, fur, or debris that drops off from your companion because it can behave like sandpaper and harm the top layer of your floors. Please contact Sandmasters for best approved cleaning products for you wood floor.

The easiest method to preserve your wood flooring is to select a resilient wooden flooring option. Quality hardwood flooring tends to be extremely scratch/dent resistant. Contact us at Sandmasters Hardwood Floors Inc. for quality hardwood flooring.

5 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Hardwood Flooring

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 19:34:43 GMT

Hardwood flooring has elegant beauty and can last years if properly maintained. But the floors will eventually show signs of wear and tear. Simple repairs can solve minor cracks and dents, but replacement might be the right option if the damage is extensive. Here are a few indicators that you need to replace your old hardwood flooring.

1. Moving or Creaking Floorboards

Natural hardwood floor movement can cause creaking from time to time. The movement is due to floor expansion in the summer months and contraction in the winter months. The contraction and expansion create gaps between floorboards and can cause the floor to move and creak occasionally. But inspecting your hardwood floor is necessary if the creaking sounds like you are walking in a haunted house.

Moving and creaking sounds often are a symptom of aging hardwood floors but can also point to a structural issue. Other symptoms include soft spots on the floor and a wiggling movement when you walk on your floor. The hardwood floor may also swell and dip, indicating issues with the floor's structural integrity.

2. Extensive Water Damage

Homeowners with hardwood floors always have to contend with the risk of water damage. The damage's severity depends on the hardwood type, with engineered hardwood being more resilient than solid hardwood. But both hardwood varieties can experience staining, warping, and other forms of water damage. The damage typically occurs due to flooding, but even excessive moisture can damage your hardwood floors.

Staining or sealing the hardwood floor can prevent spills from penetrating the floor. But if you don't react quickly, irreversible damage will occur and cause spongy or soft spots to appear on the floor. By this time, refinishing alone won't save your floors.

3. Popped-Up Nails

Worn-out hardwood floors can have nails popping out of them, especially in high-traffic areas such as the living room or kitchen. The exposed nails are unattractive and can be painful if you walk barefoot. A few nails popping out of the floor are not a big deal and don't require a total floor replacement. Instead, use a hammer to sink the nails into the floor and prevent injuries.

But if nails appear in various sections of your floor, you might have to install a new floor. If you try to refinish the floor, the wood will grind down and expose more nails.

4. Significant Marks and Scratches

Children and pets in your home can cause strain on your floors. The same problem can occur when you rearrange or move furniture around. The result will be surface-level scuffs and wearing of the floor finish. A few marks on the floor add to the character of your flooring and only requires simple refinishing.

But if the scratches are on a large area and are quite deep, the floor is at risk of water damage. Refinishing will only remove the surface level marks and scratches, but the rest of the floor will be susceptible to minor spills that can spill into the wood below. In such a case, you can save money by replacing the hardwood floor.

5. Mold or Rot

Excessive moisture and humid conditions in your home can encourage mold to grow on your floor. The hardwood floor may also rot and become weaker. Deep cleaning can solve the mold issue, but hardwood floor replacement might be the only solution if the damage is extensive.

Hardwood flooring is highly durable and rarely requires repairs or replacements. But if the damage is extensive, new hardwood floors can help update the appearance of your home. When you want to change the hardwood floor, Sandmasters Hardwood Floors can help you. Our experts can install, repair, and replace hardwood floors. Contact us today.