Can Your Timber Flooring Last a Lifetime?

25 November 2020
 Categories: Home & Garden, Blog

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Timber flooring is one of the best types of floors you can choose for your new house or when doing renovations. They provide an earthy and warm feeling and enhance the general appearance of your home. Although most people know this, they are often sceptical about installing timber flooring because they think it's not durable. This isn't true. 

With proper care, your timber floor can last for decades, allowing you to get value on your investment. The good news is that the maintenance and care process remains the same regardless of the type of timber floor you install. So how can you ensure the timber flooring lasts longer? This piece will share several care steps you should practice.

Don't let dirt accumulate on the floor

Stepping on dirt and dust feels unpleasant. However, this isn't the only problem you'll have when you keep your timber floor dirty. Grit and dirt usually scratch the timber floor surface, creating cracks and making the sheen dull. Over time, the scratches accommodate more dust and dirt, something that affects the general appearance of the floor. Therefore, it's crucial to keep the floor clean at all times by sweeping or mopping.

The cleaning should be done using a soft broom, dust mop, or vacuum cleaner. This eliminates pet hair, dirt, and other debris without scratching the floor. However, don't use a vacuum cleaner that has a bar attachment because it will cause damages. When mopping, you should use warm water and wood cleaning liquid. The mop should be damp, not wet.

Keep refreshing the protective coating

Once the timber floor is installed, a protective coating is applied to reduce the wood planks' exposure to stains, scratches, and other kinds of damage. However, the polyurethane coating usually wears down over time, so the only way to ensure the planks are protected is to refresh the coat every few years. Sanding must be done before the new coating is applied.

Protect the floor from the sun

Although the sun plays an essential role in human life, it can easily cause damage as well. For instance, many people still overlook the effect of exposing timber floors to the sun. When exposed to the sun, the timber floor gets bleached and the natural moisture dries out, leading to cupping and peaking. 

So, get window coverings like blinds, awnings, and curtains that block the sun to preserve the floor for longer. Another viable option would be to tint the windows to reduce the sun's glare at certain times of the day.