Have you been sold on the idea of having hardwood floors in your home? It’s become increasingly popular over the years due to its charm and durability. It looks amazing in any space and feels so good under your feet. An article by Realtor reports that hardwood floors also have a high return on investment, ranging from 70% to 80%.
So, it’s no wonder that you want hard wood floors in your home, who doesn’t?
Before you start falling in love with the idea of having hardwood floors, it’s good to know about some of the problems you could encounter with them. Whether you’re considering getting hardwood floors installed for the first time or you already have wood floors, you’ll want to keep these issues in mind.
Hardwood floors are a valuable addition to any home despite a few challenges. And knowing how to address wood floor issues promptly, leads to decades of value and beauty.
Hardwood Challenges with Easy Fixes
Hardwood floors are very aesthetic and extremely functional. However, there are a few significant problems that could interfere with their beauty and durability.
Scratches and Dents
One of the most common problems with hardwood floors is scratches and dents. These can be caused by dragging furniture across them or dropping heavy items directly onto the surface.
Putting felt pads on the legs of furniture is a cheap and easy way to keep your floors scratch-free. Also consider going shoe-free in your home and placing rugs and mats in high traffic areas.
Stains
Although stains may be more prominent on other types of flooring, they can also show on wood floors. Stains may come from food or beverage spills left on the surface too long. Or stains may come from leaks or other water damage.
Wipe up any type of spill or liquid as soon as possible!
Discoloration
Another problem you may incur with your hardwood floors is discoloration. This is typically evident in areas where sunshine penetrates windows for several hours of the day. The UV rays from the sun may cause certain areas of the hardwood floors to become lighter than other areas over a period of time.
Put your window treatments, blinds or window films to good use so prolonged exposure to sunlight is buffered.
Cupping or Crowning
Cupping is when a plank of wood curves into a concave shape. Crowning is when a plank of wood curves into a convex shape. These changes in the wood typically come from humidity and moisture issues with the hardwood floor as well as due to improper installation.
However, it can also be related to leaks from appliances, plumbing, or other moisture-rich items in the home.
Keep the humidity levels in your home around 30%-40% for optimal wood floor appearance and function. Moisture in the home is a detriment to more than floors!
Squeaking
A number of issues could cause hardwood floors to squeak. The most common issue is a problem with the subfloor. Although a few squeaks may not be a big deal, the noise could become unbearable. Not addressing the issue could lead to even more serious problems with the wood floors as time passes.
If squeaking continues or spreads to other floor areas, contact a hardwood flooring service so they can check it out and see if there is something structural going on.
Welcomed Changes with Hardwood Floor Installation
Switching to hardwood floors comes with some subtle changes that are worth dealing with.
Sound Transfer
If you’ve recently had hardwood installed or have recently moved into a home that has hardwood, you may be surprised by the difference in sound quality reverberating through your home.
Many flooring types, such as carpet, absorb sound. However, hardwood bounces sound throughout. If someone drops something on hardwood floors or walks across this flooring type in hard-soled shoes, you’ll hear it loudly.
Additionally, conversations may be louder than they would be in carpeted homes since hardwood amplifies sound. While this issue may not be a big deal, it is something you should be aware of when making the switch to hardwood flooring.
Comfort
When you had carpet, you and your children may have enjoyed sitting on this padded flooring type. You may have also enjoyed the soft piles of carpet underfoot as you traversed the floor.
However, with hard wood floors, it’s a different kind of comfort. Although they are not soft, wood floors feel good and are more sanitary than carpet.
Frequent Dust
Although all flooring types attract dust, it will be more noticeable with hardwood floors. So, you’ll have to clean your floors much more regularly than other flooring types. Opting for a lighter wood floor stain helps because the darker the stain, the more dust shows.
No matter what floor you go with light or dark, a quick dry mop over the surface does the trick and it beats carpeted floors that hold onto dirt, dust and debris even after they are vacuumed.
Hardwood Flooring Experts from Installation to Restoration
Hardwood floors are almost always a smart choice. Don’t let these minor issues and subtle changes keep you from getting the floors you’ve always wanted in your home. If you want to feel good about investing in your home, hardwood floors are at the top of the list.
Cameron the Sandman is an established hardwood flooring company that provides unmatched services to include hardwood floor sales and installation, restoration and refinishing for any property. Call today to explore your options and get ready to make your beautiful house a stunning home!