The use of real wood flooring is quite popular today. It is still considered quite expensive by many, however it is such a beautiful and durable option that many people don’t blink when it comes to using this compared to a vinyl floor or faux wood floor. If you take care of your floor, it will last you a lifetime, which means that the return on your investment is multiplied by at least ten times.
Carpets need to be replaced from time to time when they start to fade. Not so hardwood floors, which will be as shiny and fresh as ever after many years of wear and tear. In general, this type of natural soil does not require much maintenance, however winter is a special case and it is good to follow some tips to get through this winter without problems.
One problem wood floors can encounter is moisture, as it causes them to contract and expand when the humidity level is simply not balanced. Winter could make the situation worse due to the very dry air generated by the central heating in the home, which could cause the floor to start to shrink a bit. When you start to notice several small gaps between your boards, now you know why this happens. One thing you can do in this case is to have a humidifier and dehumidifier in the home, which could help prevent this floor from shrinking or expanding. Try to keep the humidity level no more or less than 40-60% at all times so that it is optimal for your real hardwood floor.
When entering the house during winter, as well as during rainy days, try not to drag snow, water, gravel or salt with your shoes or boots, as they will damage your floor in the long run. Have a rug or mat at the front door and thoroughly clean your boots from snow before entering the house. Although salt is used a lot around the house to prevent snow slipping, it is something that damages wood quite a bit and is difficult to repair once cracked and scratched. Also, if too much water is brought into the house with your shoes, the floor will warp, allowing gaps to begin to form between the floorboards.
When you are entertaining guests at home you may feel a bit silly asking them to remove their shoes at the door, however what seems to work quite well (due to human psychology) is leaving your own shoes at the entrance. When people arrive and see the shoes out there, they will automatically follow suit and leave their own shoes behind as well. Give it a try, it really works.
Sometimes taking precautions is not enough in winter and you need to clean the hardwood floor. Some things you can do here is mop the floor with a damp mop (make sure it is only damp and not wet) and put on a special hardwood protective coating every now and then. This will preserve the natural shine of your real wood floor and keep it for many winters to come.