Home Repair and Paint Guide

A hardwood floor is a great looking and durable addition to most homes. Installation is not too difficult if the area is square or rectangular, but as with all home projects, planning and material selection are very important. You might be able to get a good deal on installation if you are going to install flooring over a large enough area. That’s a good way to get the look you want without having to do the work yourself.

Most hardwood floors are coated with multiple layers of clear urethane. The urethane is the surface that is actually exposed to wear and tear. As long as this coating is not worn through, the wood will maintain its look and character. Simply adding a new coat of urethane when wear starts showing will prevent the need for deep sanding.

Oak is a very common material used as hardwood flooring because it’s extremely durable. Maple is also a popular choice because of its fine grain appearance. Other choices are cherry hardwood, red birch hardwood, walnut, ash, and poplar.

When shopping for hardwood floor material, be sure to look at samples of the actual wood. Select grade will have very few (and very small) knots. Number 1 Common will have more knots and they will be larger. Number 1 will also be cheaper and you can save some money as long as the appearance works for you. The species and grade of the flooring are usually stamped on the underside of the lumber.

Water is the number one enemy of all hardwood floors. It causes wood to swell and this leads to warping, twisting, cupping, etc. This is the reason many floor experts recommend against using water to clean this type of flooring.

Soaps, wax removers, and other types of harsh cleaners can also wreck a hardwood floor. Remember that the wood is coated with clear urethane. Anything that damages this surface can get into the wood and cause problems. Only use cleaners specifically formulated for hardwood floors.

Don’t apply too much wax. Better yet, don’t use wax at all unless it’s really needed. It’s better to buff the floor to restore shine. Wax will build up and leave the surface looking cloudy. Never apply a surface finish over prefinished materials because these products are waxed during manufacture.