Solid hardwood floors are made from solid wood and are site finished. Engineered flooring is made from a single piece of hardwood or plywood with a layer of hardwood veneer affixed to the top surface and is usually pre-finished.
Yes! Hardwood floors are proven to add value to your home, as well as a beautiful aesthetic. They are also easy to clean and maintain and should last years to come.
This ranges from 1-3 days for a pre-finished engineered board to 2 weeks for a large site-finished solid timber floor.
This depends on the foot traffic within your home. You should sweep and vacuum regularly to remove grit. Mopping should be done no more than 2 times per week. It’s important that you use the recommended cleaning instructions advised by your contractor.
Again, this varies on several factors. If you regularly clean and maintain your floors they should last for many years.
We ask that you remove all furniture and clear all of the areas that need to be polished. Please take all clothing out of your closets, as they tend to hang down and can get in the way. Dust can get in the cupboards, so we suggest you use masking tape to seal the small gaps in the doors.
There is no such thing as a dustless machine despite what other floor sanders may say in their spiels. While 99% of the sawdust does get picked up by the in-built vacuum systems in the machines the very fine minute dust does not. The dust remains airborne until it settles on a horizontal surface like blinds, benches and windowsills. The dust can also settle in curtains so taking your window coverings down during the sanding process is advisable if this is a concern to you.
Heavy furniture can leave marks on wooden floors. We advise using protective pads on the bottom of all furniture to avoid any marks. Please note plastic casters may also leave marks. Avoid these to reduce scratching and scuffing.
No wooden floors are immune to scratches and dents but there are a few extra things you can do to maintain your floor:
- Wipe up any spills immediately – these can potentially stain the floor and/or impact the finish if left unchecked
- Place doormats and rugs at entrance and exits
- Make sure your furniture pads are properly maintained, these will need to be replaced from time to time
- Keep in mind that high heel shoes can cause dents
- Rearrange furniture and rugs regularly – particularly those that are exposed to a lot of sunlight to ensure the floor is exposed evenly
The finish will begin to show wear when your floor needs a new coating. It will lack the lustre it once had.
If you’re not sure, one of our Natural Wood Floor specialists are a call away. We can arrange a free home inspection if required.
