DIY Hardwood Floor Blog

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The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your Hardwood Floor: 3 Steps You Should Always Practice 0

Getting a new floor is an exciting part of becoming a homeowner, and more importantly,  it’s also often an expensive part of being a homeowner. With that being said, it’s always important to take proper care of your new floor; however, it's especially important to take care of your new hardwood floors so that you get the most for your money and so that your interior looks aesthetically pleasing. 

Your floors are one of the first things that people notice when they enter your home, so it's important that they look as attractive as possible, and to do that, you must take extra care of them and put in extra effort as you clean. In fact, a roofing contractor in Voorhees said that the floors of a home can be a make or break factor for people when they enter your home. He added that people will notice hardwood floors that were not cared for properly, and if you’re looking to eventually sell your home, this could be an issue.

If you’re looking for ways to maintain your beautiful hardwood floors, you’ve come to the right place. 

3 Ways to Care for Your Hardwood Floor

 Hardwood floors are very susceptible to scratches, scuffs, fading, stains, and even chips and nicks. In order to keep your home looking top-notch and your floors looking pristine, keep the following 3 care tips in mind.

1.   Refinish Every 3-5 Years

It will be very much worth your while to refinish your floor every 3-5 years. Not only will refinishing your floor make it shine and keep it looking brand new, but it will also allow you to get more for your money. When you get a new hardwood floor, you should think of it as an investment as you will have the floor for many years to come; and when you refinish your floor every 3-5 years, you will be ensuring that you are getting the maximum life out of your hardwood floor. 

Refinishing will restore dull looking floors and will be cheaper than getting a new floor when the original finish begins to fade. Therefore, some products to consider to refinish your hardwood floors include:

• Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer and Polish
• Quick Shine High Traffic Hardwood Floor Luster and Polish
• Bona Mega Wood Floor Finish

2.   Pay Special Attention to the Way You Clean Your Hardwood Floor

In addition to refinishing your floors every few years, you will also need to clean your floors often. A good rule of thumb when it comes to cleaning your hardwood floors is to vacuum once or twice a week, and deep clean once a month.

When you vacuum your floors, be sure that you are using a quality vacuum that won’t scratch or scuff the hardwood. Additionally, be sure to buy quality cleaning products that will not damage the finish or construction of your floor. Some cleaning products are too harsh and can not only damage the shine of your hardwood floor, but it can also make it break down and become less durable. Some deep-clean products to try that shouldn't damage your floor include:

• Black Diamond Wood Floor Cleaner
• Libman Hardwood Floor Cleaner
• Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner

3.   Use Furniture Pads to Your Advantage

An easy way to protect your hardwood floors is to use furniture pads. Because hardwood floors are so susceptible to scratches and scuffs, furniture is often the biggest culprit for damaged hardwood floors. An easy way to avoid this is to place furniture pads under all of your furniture including sofas, tables, and chairs.

Many people use furniture pads only when they are moving around their furniture, and though this is beneficial, you should consider keeping discrete flooring pads under your furniture at all times.

Maintain Your Gorgeous Hardwood Floors

Keep these quick and simple tips in mind as you research ways to preserve your hardwood floors. Be sure to also do specific research on the cleaning methods for the specific material that your hardwood floor is made up of (i.e. bamboo, mahogany, oak). This will further ensure your hardwoods are preserved and will continue to look their best.

About the Author

Jennifer Bell

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Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

Wooden Floors for Bathroom Ideas 0

Are you considering hardwood floors for a bathroom remodel, and is it a practical choice?

Hardwood flooring is naturally unique, adding an elegant touch to any room. But what about the bathroom? Sure, they use wood in saunas, and it’s a harsh environment for wood. However, the wood used for saunas is unfinished softwood, usually pine or cedar. That’s different from the finished hardwood floor you want to highlight your bathroom.

In this article, we’ll discuss the pros, cons, and the potential of wooden floors for bathrooms, so that you can decide if wood is the right choice for you.

Advantages of Wooden Floors in Bathrooms

There are four reasons why some people prefer hardwood floors in their bathrooms:

1 - Wood Just Feels Better

Wood is a natural insulator. It feels warm underfoot, even on a chilly morning. You can’t say that about tile because it’s always cold and uninviting. Wood has a nice way of toning down those echoes that tiled bathrooms create.

2 - Beauty That’s Unique

Wood is beautiful. Every solid wood floorboard has a unique grain, color, and character. Natural hardwood livens up any space and will create a one-of-a-kind bathroom. It adds a style and ambiance that ceramic tile can’t match.

3 - It’s More Resilient When You Drop Things

Ever drop a glass cosmetic bottle or a cell phone on the tile? They almost always shatter or crack. Wood is a bit springy, and you have a better chance of keeping things intact if you have butterfingers.

4 - Wood Lasts for Generations

With proper care, wood floors can last for many decades. The key phrase here is “proper care.” The bathroom environment is naturally higher in humidity than the rest of the home. 

Wood and water are not the best of friends, but if you are still thinking about wood,  keep the following in mind.

Considerations Before Buying Hardwood Floors for Bathrooms

Here are four primary factors before choosing hardwood floors.

1 - The Quality of the Finish

The proper finish is your first line of defense against water seeping into the top of the floor. You’ll want a polyurethane-based sealer to create an invisible barrier on the surface. You may have to reapply it occasionally due to the excess moisture. Be sure to coat the seams as this is the easiest path for water to absorb. 

If you plan to finish the floor yourself, choose a marine-grade or polyurethane rated for outdoor use. It is your best insurance against water.

Keep in mind that the sealer or top finish only protects the surface. Water that penetrates the joints and edges can cause visible damage to the wood from the sides and below.

2 - The Type of Wood

Some wood resists water better than others. Teak and cedar naturally resist water. However, because of their low density, avoid softwoods like pine or fir.

With proper finishing, any hardwood such as white oak, cherry, maple, or hickory will offer the look and durability you want. It depends on the floor design you want and your budget.

3 - Anticipated Traffic

If you have four kids and two dogs all playing in and around the bathtub, wood is not a good idea for that bathroom. If you are an empty nester upgrading your home or have an ensuite bathroom, it can be an excellent choice. Think about your lifestyle. Anticipate the amount of traffic in and out of the bathroom before deciding on a wood floor.

4 - The Manufacturer’s Warranty

Now that you’ve narrowed your search to one or two choices, be sure to research the manufacturer’s warranty. Some will explicitly void a warranty if installed in a bathroom. Others are more flexible, provided you follow their instructions. 

Here is a Pre‐Finished Solid Wood Flooring Product Warranty from Easiklip. They list the six “Warranty Voiders” that wood flooring manufacturers have in their warranties.

• Water soaking into the wood from above or below
• Wet mopping or failure to clean up spills
• Using a steam cleaner on the floor
• Wet subfloor
• Relative humidity at the site below 40% or above 65%
• Failure to protect the floors from damage caused by sand or grit, pets, high heels, chair/furniture without protectors, lack of mats at entryways, excessive foot traffic, household chemicals, abrasive cleaners, excessive sunlight, extreme heat, etc.

If you follow the preventative measures we’ve stated below, you should not have an issue.

Wooden Floors in Bathrooms, What Could Go Wrong?

Wood is a natural product that’s very porous. Even with a top coat of polyurethane, it still absorbs and releases moisture through the edges and bottom. Unlike tile, wood expands, and contracts. Indeed, there are drawbacks to laying down hardwood floors for bathrooms. Let’s take a look at them and then how we can mitigate these potential issues.

Excess Water from Spills, Splashes, and Flooding

There will always be water splashes from the sink, tub, or shower. If you have kids, water on the floor is inevitable. Even the most careful adult can easily splash drops of water while rinsing their face or hands.

High Humidity

Does someone in your house like to take steaming hot showers? Bathrooms typically have the highest humidity in the home, due to a combination of hot showers and poor ventilation. Constant high humidity can be detrimental to solid wood floors.

Uneven Subfloor

If the subfloor is uneven, it could create low spots on the floor above, which can create small puddles. Prep the subfloor, so it’s level and smooth.

Lack of Moisture Barrier

Typically, wood floors install using glue screws or nails. That won’t work for a bathroom floor. You want to put down a moisture barrier to prevent water from seeping into the subfloor. Nails and screws will puncture the barrier. The solution is to use a clip together hardwood floor system that won’t pierce the moisture barrier.

Chemical Staining

Most bathroom cleaning products contain bleach, lye, or other harsh chemicals. These can cause permanent stains in wood.

Mold and Mildew

Anytime a surface stays wet for extended periods, mold and mildew will grow. Wet wood can harbor mold and mildew in the seams, underneath and along the edges. Humidity levels above 65% support mold and mildew growth.

You can work around all the problems mentioned above. Here are solutions to overcome these issues.

How to Protect Hardwood Floors In Your Bathroom

The number one enemy of wood floors is water. The best way to prevent excess water on your floor is to use bathmats to intercept any water splashing from the sink, tub, or shower. Clean up any remaining drops of water with the mat or other absorbent material. Don’t leave damp bathmats on the floor. Always hang them up to dry before using them again.

While the finish protects the top of the wood, you still need to wipe up any water immediately so that it doesn’t seep down between seams. 

Some other preventative measures include:

• Regular Floor Maintenance – Clean and wax the floor regularly. You can see if the top finish layer is still suitable if a small drop of water beads up. If it lays flat or soaks in, you need to reseal or wax immediately. Take care to seal the joints and cracks between the boards.
• Maintain Plumbing Fixtures – Plumbing joints and toilets are notorious for causing slow leaks and drips. Always keep an eye out for the first drops of water and fix them immediately.

Prevention is always less expensive than a cure. However, if the floor finish gets damaged, you can always refinish it to make it look like new.

DIY Wood Floors in Bathrooms

You can install wood floors in a bathroom, but you need to understand the limitations of wood and your bathroom’s environment. If the traffic remains low, the pipes are not leaking, and users are conscious of wiping up water immediately, wood floors will make your bathroom warm and beautiful.

There is one hardwood flooring option that makes it easy to install, maintain, or replace if necessary. Easiklip solid oak floors clip together using no adhesives, screws, or nails. It comes pre-finished. You can walk on it the moment you install it. It’s practical and simple to replace should one or more boards become water damaged. It’s a solid hardwood, so refinishing the entire floor is also an option.

To start your search for wood floor bathroom ideas, go to Easiklip.com. No nails or glue needed, so the moisture barrier stays intact. It’s an economical way to add genuine hardwood to your bathroom remodeling project.

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