What’s holding you back from installing the flooring of your dreams?
Do you dream of hardwood flooring from one side of your home to the other? Do you see it adding ambiance to your home?
Are you holding back because you’re worried about it scratching?
Don’t worry; you’re not alone. It’s often one of the first questions homeowners ask when contemplating hardwood flooring installation. They’ve been dreaming about it … but they don’t want buyer’s remorse.
Hardwood flooring is something you’ve dreamed of for years.
They say hardwood flooring can last for decades. Even when they start looking a little rundown, you can sand them down and refinish them for a brand new look.
How easily will they scratch? And is there something you can do to protect hardwood flooring from scratching even before it begins?
What scratches hardwood flooring?
In order to fully protect your new flooring, it’s important to understand what the greatest risks are to stop scratching before it begins.
Footwear
By far, this can be one of the most damaging things to your floor’s finish. Take a look at the bottom of a shoe. See all of those tiny rocks stuck in there? They have the potential to scratch your floors. Running shoes aren’t the only culprits; high heels can scratch and dent. If you want to keep your floors looking their best, create a “shoes off” policy and have them checked by the door.
Furniture
Furniture is also a big culprit for scratching. If your kids bounce in the chairs and cause them to scoot across the floor, you might see tiny scratches appear over time. Before placing any furniture directly on hardwood, place pads on the bottom to avoid damage over time.
Pets
Do your pets love to play? Their nails can impact the finish of your hardwood flooring. Be sure to keep their nails well trimmed, as long nails can cause more significant damage to your floors.
What can you do to further prevent scratching?
Keeping your hardwood flooring looking great doesn’t require massive change. With just a few tweaks to your regular routine, you’ll have great-looking floors for years to come.
Take off your shoes
We can’t stress this enough. If you want great-looking floors – no matter what type of flooring you install – check your shoes at the front door.
You can encourage this by placing mats or a bin by the front door. Maybe add a bench to make it easy to sit down to zip or tie your shoes into place. You can even have a selection of slippers available to avoid cold feet. This is the easiest way to make this a habit, and your flooring will thank you for it.
Place entry mats by every door
We have it all here in Colorado – ice, snow, water, debris. How many times have you tracked in ice from the coldest days of winter? Or brought leaves and other debris when autumn sets in?
Placing mats at all entry points will allow visitors to wipe their feet before they enter your house. You can change them often to create a new look for your visitor and guests. We suggest placing entrance mats outside to give feet a chance to leave much of the debris outside. Then have another mat on the inside to leave your shoes behind. This double matting will ensure most of what you can track inside, stays far away from your hardwood floors.
Adding felt pads to everything
Many homeowners think about adding felt pads to sofas and chairs, but then forget other things that still have the potential for damage.
Bookcases, tables, desks, and hutches – if it sits on your floors, it has the potential for scratching. They make felt pads in a variety of shapes and sizes. Buy extras and have them available for when they fall off. Pay attention to quality. There are many inexpensive brands on the market, but some will do the job better than others.
Avoid rollers
Home offices are more popular than ever. But office chairs with rollers on the bottom can easily trap dirt and grit. Every time you roll across the floor, you risk having them scratch the floor.
If you have rollers on any furniture, consider placing rugs or mats to provide further protection.
Clean regularly
One of the best ways to ensure dirt doesn’t grind into your hardwood flooring finish is to sweep it up before it can cause damage. Use a soft sweeper to pick up dirt and debris and pull it away from your finish. Avoid harsh chemicals that can penetrate your floor’s finish.
Be sure to check with the manufacturer of your hardwood flooring for recommendations on products to use. Many on the market today have harsh chemicals that can dull or ruin the finish. Your manufacturer will usually provide guidelines right on their websites. Or feel free to give us a call – we’re happy to make recommendations.
Use rugs
Area rugs can be handy for keeping your floors clean. They are also a great way to improve aesthetics, and to add color and flair to your decor. If you have chairs that move frequently, such as in the dining room, an area rug can provide added protection. They also help reduce noise, which can be beneficial in an open concept home.
Be sure to get a durable rug pad to place underneath. Rug pads add to the rug’s overall comfort, durability, and warmth. It will also provide added protection to help reduce scratches even more. Some rug backings are stiff enough to scratch if they move around.
Are you still dreaming of hardwood flooring?
With the popularity of hardwood flooring, many homeowners find the risk of possible scratching worth it for the chance of having the right aesthetics inside their homes.
Don’t be afraid to install what you want. Hardwood flooring is tougher than you think.
With a bit of care and maintenance, you’ll be able to keep your hardwood flooring looking its best for years to come. And when they do need refreshing, it’s as simple as sanding them down and adding a new finish.
Are you ready to find the hardwood flooring of your dreams?