No doubt about it: A wood flooring installation in your home will add character, warmth and elegance. Raised grains, quirky knots and vibrant color undertones create a breathtaking look in any space, from the most traditional, to the most modern and youthful ones.
Everyone loves it; in fact, it’s the #one preferred choice of homeowners. The initial purchase price can, admittedly, create a little sticker shock, but you must look at the overall picture: Wood flooring lasts for decades (we’ve even heard of some going to 100 years), and it adds value to a home; nationwide real estate sales associates say people will pay as much as 10 percent above asking, just to get a home with a wood floor. Now, thanks to engineered hardwood, you don’t even need to worry much about water or humidity because, while it is real wood, the construction makes it more stable and water-resistant.
So now comes the question of when to replace your wood flooring installation. Over 90 percent of the time you can refinish or repair it but, of course, it can also come down to personal preference.
Here’s a list from About Floors ‘n More of Jacksonville, FL. as to what you can, and cannot do, to salvage your floors:
Salvageable problems include:
● Damaged planks, squeaky floors, pet urine. If there aren’t too many damaged planks, you can just replace them. Noisy floors (as long as that squeak isn’t caused by a structural, or subfloor, problem), can be temporarily tightened with nails and some dry lubricant. Patches that match your wood and can go unnoticed can be used to plug holes and repair.
Sometimes, a simple sanding or a coat of veneer, will be all it takes to eliminate scratches, stains or simple water marks, as long as the water hasn’t penetrated the wood to warp it.
NOTE: Please check with your flooring retailer first about any product or process to be sure you’re using it correctly.
Unsalvageable problems include:
● If there’s a lot of movement between boards, and this can often happen when older floors might have too much termite damage, it will affect the sanding and refinishing process. If the subfloor needs to be replaced, that can indicate a structural problem that refinishing won’t solve. If the floor has been sanded too many times, say, if nails are exposed, you probably will need to replace the floor but, as always, check with your flooring retailer before you do anything.
The flooring experts at About Floors ‘n More in Jacksonville, FL will show you how to keep your floors looking gorgeous.
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3 mins
