Hardwood Flooring Mistakes You Must Avoid

11/16/2021

If you have opted for hardwood flooring for your home, you have certainly made a great selection. The traditional beauty and extraordinary durability of these floors make them one of the most preferred flooring alternatives. However, like any other element of the home, it is important to take care of the floors while selecting, installing, and maintaining them. From improper cleaning to installation issues, hardwood flooring mistakes can make your life difficult. Luckily, it is possible to avoid these mistakes so that your floor remains at its best for decades to come. 

• Wood Selection: While selecting wood for your hardwood flooring, consider both the style and function of the living space. A harder wood is more appropriate for the high-traffic area of the house because they offer high resistance to scratches and other day-to-day wear. Also, lighter-coloured options can hide scratches more efficiently. If you have kids or pets, lighter hardwood is probably your best choice. If your room receives plenty of natural sunlight, darker colours are better because they offer a relatively higher level of protection against sun damage.
• Installation: During the installation of the floor, quality should be your foremost priority. Any mistakes here may result in troubles throughout the life of the flooring. This is why you should not focus too much on saving money during this step. Please be mindful of the fact that this is not a DIY job, and you should only rely on professionals for the installation of you hardwood floor. Do your homework to figure out the most appropriate installation method and choose the best colour and style.    
• Subfloor: This is an important part of hardwood floor installation process that requires special attention. Before you put down your hardwood floor, you must have a subfloor capable of providing a dry and sturdy foundation to it. An unprepared subfloor may lead to loosening of the boards, causing them to shift and squeak. A subfloor that is wet during installation is prone to severe structural damage.  
• Floor Gaps: Incorrectly installed floorboards tend to expand and shift over time. This happens mostly because of placing floorboards over wet subfloors. In presence of moisture and humidity, the boards cling to each other tightly. However, they tend to retract and reveal gaps in drier seasons.  These gaps may also form if the subfloor is too hot or dry. 
• Finishing: Refinishing helps maintain the shiny appearance of hardwood floors for many years to come. However, if a hardwood floor is refinished without preparing or cleaning, it may look even worse than before because the finish won’t stick to it. Therefore, before finishing your hardwood floor, it should be cleaned properly so that the finishing coat doesn’t catch any hair, dirt, and other debris.   
• Improper Cleaning: The best way to prevent hardwood flooring related issues is to follow a cleaning and maintenance routine. Try to prevent accidental spills and dry any water damage immediately. Monitor your home’s humidity levels and prevent your floor from damage caused by excessive moisture. Even regular sweeping can go a long way towards protecting the floor’s top coat.      

If you have any other questions related to your hardwood flooring, please contact us at Enoak. We offer an exquisite range of hardwood floor finishes and styles to suit every taste.