Caring for Oak Hardwood Flooring

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Caring for Oak Hardwood Flooring

Oak hardwood flooring has been a favorite of homeowners for hundreds of years. Oak falls in the middle of the hardwood scale thereby making it one of the more durable woods to choose. You can purchase Oak hardwood flooring in both finished and unfinished states. The floors may also be dyed, stained, and glazed to many different hues giving your Oak floor a look that can resemble other woods, such as Cherry, Mahogany, and Maple. There are many options to choose from when selecting Oak hardwood floors as well. Size, grain, patterns, colors and finishes give the homeowner plenty of choices to compliment their home decor.

Oak Floor Care Tips

After you have selected and installed your new Oak hardwood flooring, you will need to care for it properly, to ensure that it lasts for many years. The first rule of thumb is to make sure that your floor doesn't succumb to water damage. Water can seep between the floorboard and cause the wood to deteriorate from the inside out. Due to this, you should always wipe any spills immediately to prevent moisture damage. You may also benefit by looking into having your floor sealed with a finishing glaze such as polyurethane to protect it from moisture. There are many floor companies that will add an ultraviolet coating of urethane to the Oak floor. Though this helps seal and protect it, it won't make your floor waterproof, so you will still need to tread carefully with your floor.

Precautions

Some of the best precautions you can take with your new Oak hardwood flooring is to protect it from gouging, scratches, scuff marks, and dents. One of the easiest ways to protect your floor is to use throw rugs in high traffic areas. Throw rugs are inexpensive and will protect your floor from becoming worn out. Also, use felt based furniture pads for the bottom of your sofas, tables, and chairs. These are very effective in protecting the floor from tearing and gouging.

Contracting a professional to regularly maintain the finish on your Oak hardwood flooring is also an effective way to maintain its beauty, strength, and durability. It is s also a worthy point to mention that hardwood floors helps increase the property value for your home. By maintaining the coating of your floor, using care and floor rugs in high traffic areas, and eliminating water from coming in contact with your floor, you can rest assured that your Oak hardwood flooring will last for many years to come.