Are you contemplating new flooring? Are you wondering what’s the right choice to survive Denver’s weather? You’re not alone.

Denver homeowners love playing in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, the great outdoors often makes it back inside with you, meaning your flooring can take a beating. Dogs can track in mud, debris, and snow. Kids bring in toys and sports equipment, along with whatever happens to be on them. And you’re left with flooring you have to clean. What should you choose?

We suggest digging a bit deeper into each season, and evaluating what your family likes to do. It will guide you in deciding how much care you’re willing to bring to each season … which in turn will help you select the right flooring for each room.

What Winter Brings to Denver Homeowners

If you’ve experienced a Denver winter, you know it can bring about anything. Record-breaking heat followed by record-breaking cold. Still, Denver winters are usually characterized by cold temperatures, snowfall, and occasional ice storms. These conditions present unique challenges for homeowners, especially if you like playing outside.

• Snow and Ice: Snow and ice are tracked in on shoes, boots, and pet paws, melting into water that can damage flooring.
• Salt and De-icing Chemicals: These are used on sidewalks and driveways to prevent ice buildup but can be abrasive and corrosive to flooring surfaces.
• Mud and Dirt: Mixed with snow and ice, mud and dirt are often brought inside, leading to potential scratches and stains on floors.

Do you see each of these inside your home? Then you already know the damage they can do.

• Water Damage: Melting snow and ice can seep into flooring, causing warping, swelling, or mold growth, particularly on hardwood and carpet.
• Scratches and Abrasions: Salt and dirt particles can scratch the surface of hardwood, laminate, and tile floors.
• Staining: De-icing chemicals and mud can leave stains, especially on carpets and lighter-colored flooring.

Winter seasonal flooring care tips start by making the right choice for flooring inside your home. Look for:

• Ease of Cleaning: Choose flooring that is easy to clean and maintain. Tile, LVP, and sealed hardwood can be quickly mopped or wiped down to remove water and debris.
• Stain Resistance: Opt for materials that resist stains from salt and mud. Consider sealed or treated surfaces that repel moisture and dirt.

Choose:

• Tile: Ceramic or porcelain tiles are highly resistant to water, scratches, and stains, making them ideal for entryways and high-traffic areas.
• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): LVP is water-resistant, durable, and easy to clean, making it a good choice for areas prone to moisture and dirt.
• Engineered Hardwood: More stable than solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can better withstand changes in humidity and temperature, reducing the risk of warping.

What Spring Brings to Denver Homeowners

Sometimes spring can feel like summer one day followed by winter. Our snowiest month falls in spring. Still, spring in Denver is characterized by fluctuating temperatures, increased rainfall, and the beginning of the thawing process from winter. These conditions lead to unique challenges and considerations for homeowners, particularly concerning their flooring.

• Mud and Dirt: There’s a never-ending supply of mud and dirt. With the melting snow and increased rainfall, and new interest in getting your lawn ready for summer, mud and dirt are commonly tracked indoors on shoes and pet paws.
• Water and Moisture: Water’s always a problem, isn’t it? It can be brought in on footwear, outdoor toys, and from playing in the yard. It creates potential for moisture damage.
• Allergens: Pollen and other allergens can be brought inside, particularly affecting those with allergies.

Once again, Denver’s outdoor living has the potential to impact your floors.

• Moisture Damage: Water and mud can seep into flooring, causing warping, swelling, and mold growth, especially in wood and carpeted areas.
• Stains and Dirt: Mud and dirt can leave stains and embed in carpets, requiring more intensive cleaning.
• Increased Wear and Tear: The transition from winter to spring can lead to higher foot traffic as people spend more time outdoors.

Flooring care starts by thinking about your maintenance tolerance.

• Ease of Cleaning: Select flooring that is easy to sweep, mop, and clean to manage the increased dirt and mud. Tile, LVP, and sealed hardwood are excellent choices.
• Stain Resistance: Consider flooring materials that resist stains from mud and dirt. Sealed surfaces help repel moisture and prevent staining.

We suggest durability when finalizing your flooring choices.

• Tile: Ceramic or porcelain tiles are water-resistant and easy to clean, making them ideal for entryways and high-traffic areas during the wet spring months.
• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): LVP is highly durable, water-resistant, and easy to maintain, suitable for areas prone to mud and moisture.
• Laminate Flooring: Choose high-quality, water-resistant laminate for durability and ease of cleaning.

What Summer Brings to Denver Homeowners

Summer in Denver is characterized by hot, dry days and occasional thunderstorms. These weather conditions create unique challenges for maintaining and protecting flooring.

• Dust and Dirt: Increased outdoor activity and open windows can lead to more dust and dirt being tracked indoors.
• Moisture: Sudden thunderstorms can result in wet footwear and outerwear being brought inside.
• Heat and Sunlight: Intense sunlight and heat can cause fading and warping in certain types of flooring.

That means you’ll be dealing with a lot as you maintain your flooring.

• Dust and Debris: Dust and dirt can scratch and dull the finish of hardwood and laminate flooring.
• Moisture Damage: Quick summer storms can introduce moisture that can lead to warping, especially in wood flooring.
• UV Damage: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade and discolor flooring, particularly wood and some types of vinyl.

We suggest:

• Tile: Ceramic or porcelain tiles are ideal for areas prone to moisture and dirt, as they are durable and easy to clean.
• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): LVP is water-resistant and can withstand the heat and dust, making it a good choice for areas with high foot traffic.
• Engineered Hardwood: More stable than solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can better withstand changes in temperature and humidity.

What Autumn Brings to Denver Homeowners

Autumn in Denver features mild temperatures, decreasing daylight, and an abundance of fallen leaves. These seasonal changes bring specific challenges for maintaining and protecting flooring.

• Leaves and Debris: Fallen leaves and outdoor debris are frequently tracked inside on shoes and pet paws.
• Mud and Moisture: Occasional rain and early snow can bring mud and moisture indoors.
• Dust: Cooler weather and closed windows can result in the accumulation of indoor dust.

That means you’ll see more things that can impact your flooring:

• Scratches and Stains: Leaves and outdoor debris can scratch and stain flooring, particularly wood and laminate.
• Moisture Damage: Rain and early snow can cause moisture-related issues like warping, especially in wood flooring.
• Increased Wear and Tear: The transition period with variable weather can lead to higher foot traffic indoors, increasing wear and tear on floors.

With this in mind, we suggest several different types of flooring:

• Tile: Ceramic or porcelain tiles are durable and easy to clean, making them ideal for entryways and high-traffic areas.
• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): LVP is highly durable, water-resistant, and easy to maintain, suitable for areas prone to mud and moisture.
• Engineered Hardwood: More stable than solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can better withstand changes in temperature and humidity.

Flooring Care Tips by the Season – What’s Your Choice?

Do you see trends when you evaluate how your family approaches each season? Are you more active in some, stay indoors more for others?

Whatever your lifestyle, it’s important to consider your maintenance and care goals before you finalize your flooring choices.

Choose wisely, and you’ll love your flooring no matter what the weather is like outside.

Can we help you finalize your selection?