Tag: hardwood floor maintenance

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Picking Out Hardwood Floors

Benefits Of Hardwood Floors

Deciding on the flooring inside of a home is a fascinating time. There are so many options; hardwood, carpet, vinyl, linoleum, laminate, tile, and so many others. Each flooring offers different benefits for certain people. Hardwood floors radiate natural beauty, and because of the enormous variety, wood floors can match any decor. Modern chic or rustic cottage, there’s a wood flooring option for any interior design. Wood floors do require more thought and consideration because they need to be properly maintained and taken care of, or they will not provide the desired look.

Wood Finish

After deciding on wood flooring, there are a lot of other options associated with this material. Choosing on the finish is an important aspect and will alter the installation process. Unfinished wood floors are installed first, and then several layers of protective finishing are applied. This option is beneficial for places in the home like the kitchen. When the finish is applied after installation, it helps to seal up the gaps between the pieces of wood, providing more water protection. Finished wood floors are quick and easy to install; there is no dust, fumes, or dry time. After the floor is installed, it can be walked on immediately, as opposed to unfinished floors, which require sanding, staining, and finishing. Both options are just fine and will get the same results. It just depends on the application and personal preference.

Wood floors require more maintenance than other floors, and that is especially important for newly finished wood floors. Because hardwood is an entirely flat surface, there is no place for dirt and other debris to hide, which makes daily upkeep necessary. It is also a good idea to keep in mind the type of wood that is installed and how durable it is, some hard-bristled brooms can scratch the wood when used over and over again. Rubber or other synthetic bristles are a better option for softer woods and to protect the finish. Vacuuming wood floors is also a big no-no, but if necessary, choose the bare-floor setting to ensure the rough vacuum bristles don’t damage the floor. There are many other tips and tricks to protecting wood floors and ensuring they last longer, but eventually, all wood floors need to be sanded and refinished.

Engineered Wood Or Solid Woodwood flooring by mystique hardwood floors

Both are excellent choices and offer different benefits. Solid wood flooring is all real wood planks. Engineered wood floors are many layers of wood glued together. Solid wood is a reliable option and provides excellent stability but is not the best choice for humid areas. Engineered wood can be more versatile but can only be sanded and refinished once or twice. Solid wood can be sanded and re-finished many times. Depending on the application and personal preference, both options are great.

Wood Type

This choice is probably the most exciting and fun part of getting hardwood floors. Picking out which species of wood will look best. The most common types of wood flooring are oak, maple, and cherry. These three are good options because they are widely available, relatively hard, and can be stained to a more specific color. Other options include bamboo, walnut, ash, and mahogany. These are also great options, slightly more expensive, but can offer a look and feel that others can’t. And then there are the more costly and exotic options; teak, jarrah, and mesquite. These hardwood options provide elegance and warmth that is not naturally provided by other wood options. It can be challenging to decide, but gathering a few samples to take home can always help.

Wood Floor Style

After choosing the species of wood, the board style must also be decided on. Typically most wood floors use narrow strips of wood. These narrow strips can help create the illusion of more space and help a room appear larger and more open. Planks are another popular option because they provide a more rustic look. A third option that is less common but gaining popularity is squares or rectangles. This type of hardwood flooring offers a very formal look, great for entryways.

Wood Hardness

Different wood species have different hardness levels. Red oak is considered the median for hardness at a level of 1290. Softer woods like teak or black cherry at 1000-1010 will scratch and dent much easier. Harder woods like jarrah at 1910 or Brazilian cherry, at the top of the scale with a hardness of 2350, will not scratch and dent easily. Choosing a wood species should take into account lifestyle. Homeowners with pets and children might consider a stronger wood that would be more resilient to dogs’ nails and children playing. Laying down rugs and pet beds can provider a softer place for pets to lay down and have some traction.

Wood Floor Underlayment

Before the wood floors are installed, there is an underlayment laid down. Cork and foam provide an excellent level of insulation and help to reduce the noise level. Vinyl and plastic underlayment is suitable for areas of higher moisture, like the kitchen. Hardwood floors are an excellent choice for any space in a home except for bathrooms and laundry rooms. Too much moisture is not suitable for hardwood and will cause it to warp and possibly mildew. Hardwood floors require a little more maintenance and care than other floor options like linoleum or carpet.

Hardwood Floors Experts

The staff at Mystique Hardwood Floors are experts in wood flooring. With years of experience and knowledge, our team is always happy to help you decide on the best wood flooring option. We work with you to establish the best wood choice, style, and other details before our craftsmen professionally and expertly install your wood flooring. Staining before or during installation is up to you, and we are happy to do either. And don’t worry if your floor gets a little damaged later on down the road, our team also provides repairs, refinishing, staining, and replacements. Call Mystique Hardwood Floors today for a quote on a brand new, beautiful hardwood floor!

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Advantages of Hardwood Floors and How To Maintain Them

Reasons To Get Hardwood Floors

For many homeowners, choosing a style of flooring can be a difficult decision. There are so many options, and each type of flooring has different benefits and drawbacks. Flooring, no matter what kind, is an investment that will be in a home for a long time. Carpet is a trendy choice for homes, apartments, offices, and a lot of other applications. But carpet has a lot more drawbacks to it compared to hardwood. Carpet harbors more dirt and germs, which can give off a musty odor. It stains easily and becomes dirty and dingy over time.

Hardwood floors have quite a few benefits, not only for a home but also for the whole family. It is always a good idea to talk and work with hardwood flooring contractors when deciding to put hardwood floors in a home. But all the benefits that come with having wood floors make the investment all worth it. And because the floors are long-lasting, the benefits from them are continuous.

Clean Floors

Carpet consists of thick fibers that attract and store dirt, dust, allergens, and a lot of other things that get tracked into a home. Hardwood floors allow for easy and sanitary cleaning. And because of these hardwood floors are a better option for families that have allergies or asthma.

Floor Durability

In high traffic areas, carpets back begin to wear out and need to be replaced after a few years. This process can be costly because, more than likely, the entire carpet needs to be ripped up and replaced. With hardwood floors, they can be sanded, re-finished, and fixed to look brand new. Any dings or dents on the floor can be easily repaired, and because they are laid in small sections, if part of the floor does need to be replaced, it is not as big of a hassle. There are many flooring options, including eco-friendly variations, and this flooring will last for years and years.

Hardwood Aesthetics

Hardwood floors have been a popular choice for a very long time. They are an excellent option that can be utilized in many ways. Using different types of woods, shapes, and designs all create a unique and beautiful look. Hardwood floors add value to homes as most homeowners like the look of wood flooring.

Maintaining A Hardwood Floor

While sweeping, mopping and vacuuming might not be the most fun activity to do and keeping a hardwood floor clean will ultimately protect the long-term investment of having an elegant space. The best way to care for a hardwood floor starts with replacing every-day cleaning tools with the ones that work best on wood finish without scratching the grains or dulling the shine.

Broomswood flooring by mystique hardwood floors

When using a broom on newly refinished wood floors, the types of bristles being used are crucial; different brooms should be used to clean different surfaces. For delicate wood floors, the best sweepers in the business are either rubber or synthetic (or a combination of both) bristles. Straw brooms, on the other hand, can fall apart over time and scratch surfaces more easily.

For hair or stringy particles, rubber bristle brooms are the best choice for pet owners who find themselves tasked with cleaning up cat or dog hair. Without compromising their floor’s lifespan and appearance, rubber bristles have a way of sliding along the floor without scuffing, all the while grabbing and clumping hair together.

For dust, synthetic bristle brooms are the best choice, since rubber bristles are too spaced to sweep smaller particulates. The softer the bristles, the longer the refinished floor will last.

Microfiber Dust Mops

Sometimes sweeping with an old, stiff-bristled broom can do more harm than good to a hardwood floor. Generic dust mops also have the potential to scratch and fade the sheen on a finished floor. That’s why it’s best to go with a microfiber dust mop. Unlike traditional mops and brooms that just push particles into neat piles, microfibers trap dust into their dense braids of fabric. They’re engineered to use static electricity to attract and snatch up negatively charged dust particles.

After using a microfiber mop, be sure to wash and dry it before using it again. Throwing the mop in the dryer can recharge the microfibers and their static-electric power.

Bare Floor Setting On The Vacuum

While sweeping is more energy-efficient and less time consuming, vacuuming is a great way to touch up the floors once a week. Make sure to use a vacuum with a bare floor setting (most vacuums will have one). When a vacuum activates bare floor mode, there’s clearance between the floor and vacuum bristles. The benefit of vacuuming is also to reach hard-to-get places between furniture.

Protecting Hardwood Floors From Scratches And Scuffs

Cleaning and maintaining a hardwood floor are both equally important, but preventative maintenance is just as crucial and can save money on repairs. Taking good care of a hardwood floor will ensure that the quality stays consistent throughout the years. Here are some things to look out for and be cautious of to keep a hardwood floor looking its best.

UV Rays

Sunlight can age a floor the way it can age a painting hanging on the wall next to a window, but part of a finished hardwood floors appeal is that it beautifully reflects light. In that case, invest in drapes that will let in enough ambient light while blocking UV Rays. Or use area rugs in places of a home that get the most direct sunlight on the floor.

Pets

Be sure to trim the nails on the cat, dog, or any other pet that roam around the house. Doing so will reduce the minuscule scratches that, over time, become worn-out areas on a refinished floor.

Footwear

A high traffic area with rough footwear can wear down a new finish more than anything. If at all possible, it is best practice to avoid walking on hardwood floors with shoes on. This isn’t always possible. But some shoe options are not as hard on the floor as others. Here are some types of footwear to try and avoid that will help maintain the flooring:

  • Soccer, golf, or baseball cleats
  • Boots
  • High-heels
  • Shoes with black rubber soles

Mystique Wood Floors For Phoenix Residents

The flooring professionals at Mystique Hardwood Floor Designs have the experience and the knowledge to help find the right flooring option for Phoenix residents. With helpful advice on how to maintain and care for each specific style of floor and services that help restore and protect them. Call Mystique Hardwood Floor Designs for the most beautiful flooring in Phoenix!

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