Do’s
and Don’ts of Hardwood Flooring
Do:
·
Choose a hardwood species that will stand up to the type of foot
traffic you expect in the area you wish to have it installed; the Janka
Hardness Scale will
inform you about this
·
Consult the terms and conditions of your purchase, including all
warranty and maintenance information
·
Hire a professional installer if you have little or no
experience installing hardwood floors.
·
With unfinished
hardwood flooring options,
consult contractors and manufacturer recommendations about which finish or
stain is most appropriate for your choice of hardwood flooring
·
Choose an appropriate moisture barrier to rest between the
subfloor and your hardwood flooring in order to add another level of protection
·
Expect color variations, as hardwood is a natural material.
·
Use DRY mops and vacuums to keep your new hardwood flooring
clear of dirt and dust
·
See to your pets nails, spills, “accidents”, and other issues
immediately
Don’t:
·
Install hardwood flooring in an area that will be subject to
excessive moisture. This means avoiding an installation in “below grade”
locations (like a basement for instance) or in bathrooms
·
Install hardwood flooring in an area that is not environmentally
controlled all year long – say, in a cottage or summer home that is not
constantly maintained
·
Use wax-based cleaners or harsh detergents that will dull the
finish of the hardwood flooring
·
Use steel wool or any other abrasives to clean a hardwood floor
·
Use excessive water when cleaning a hardwood floor as it can
cause damage
·
Walk on your hardwood flooring with athletic spikes or
high-heels
·
Install hardwood flooring over radiant heat. For this, it is
best to consider engineered hardwood flooring options that are designed to
allow for the temperature variations resulting from radiant heat
·
Leave damp rugs on the surface of hardwood flooring for an
extended period
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