Solid wood flooring has been a long-standing favorite for homeowners looking for a sturdy flooring surface. It is clear cut from only one piece of hardwood and tends to be slightly thicker than painted flooring. However, when not maintained properly, solid wood flooring may warp or expand with changes in temperature and moisture. Regardless, it still remains one of the most popular types of flooring used around the globe, especially in Australia.
Different Factors That Affect Flooring
You will find that solid wood flooring needs to be maintained very well to maintain its strength and durability. The humidity level in your home plays a large role in the life of your hardwood flooring. The amount of humidity in your home as well as the frequency of heating and cooling cycles will affect the hardness of your hardwood floors. Keeping up with your home’s humidity level will help to keep your hardwood in top condition.
Solid Wood Flooring Must Be Maintained
One of the best ways to maintain the proper hardness of your wood flooring product is to avoid any type of wood flooring product that includes a high amount of glues. Glue is an important element of solid wood flooring as it helps keep the boards together. Without glue, wood flooring products can separate and start to develop gaps. If you want your wood flooring to remain undamaged and strong, then avoid using glue. You can use other types of adhesives to ensure that your boards stay securely in place.
Another way to help maintain your wood flooring product’s resilience is to avoid sanding. Sanding can actually cause your wood floors to expand and contract. When your wood flooring becomes subject to change in size, shape, or even color, it’s more prone to becoming damaged. Although there are some benefits to using sanded products, they can also be damaging to your solid wood flooring. If you plan to sand your wood floors, make sure to use a fine-grit sandpaper and only sand small areas of your floor.
Check For Signs Of Damage
In addition to checking the hardness of your solid wood flooring, you should also look for signs of distress on the floor. Distress is caused when the wood becomes misshapen, has visible cracks, or shows signs of having been over-sanded. Over-sanding can create large voids in the subfloor. If the subfloor has been sanded too thin, it can become damaged and need to be refinished.
There are many things that can affect the performance and durability of your solid wood flooring. By keeping an eye out for these signs, you’ll be able to identify problems early on and make the necessary adjustments before the problem gets out of hand.
Aside from ensuring you only deal with reputable solid wood flooring Melbourne suppliers, checking the ratings of the flooring you’re planning to purchase is also great for helping people decide whether to install their own solid wood flooring or to go with an engineered product. Engineered wood is less likely to chip or break, so if you are concerned about installing your own flooring, reading reviews or ratings is definitely a good place to start. By taking a close look at the ratings, you’ll get a better idea of which type of flooring will work best in your home.
