Hardwood flooring is increasingly becoming the go-to flooring choice for many homeowners. While contemplating hardwood flooring in your own home, you may run across a few questions. There is no need to keep searching for answers because we have the answers to your top frequently asked questions about hardwood flooring below.
Can I install hardwood flooring if I have a dog or other indoor pets?
You can install hardwood flooring if you have a dog or other indoor pets, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Dogs and cats can scratch hardwood flooring. In many cases, you can apply a matte finish to hide any noticeable scratch marks. The only major downfall of hardwood flooring around animals is that urine can damage the wood. If you do plan on installing hardwood flooring in a pet-friendly home, make sure to stay on top of cleaning any messes your animals make.
Can I install a hardwood floor in any room in my home?
Even though you can place hardwood floors anywhere in your house, there are specific places hardwood floors work the best. Solid hardwood floors are not recommended for basements or installation on top of concrete slabs because these floors are susceptible to moisture. You should also keep in mind that you will want your hardwood flooring to coincide with your cabinets and furniture. A great tip to remember is that a darker hardwood floor looks more formal while natural colors give off a casual vibe.
Which hardwood flooring installation method is the best?
There are four types of hardwood flooring installation methods. Finding the method that works for your home the best depends on the type of hardwood flooring you are using and if you are working with a professional or not.
- Nail down method: For this installation method, you use a wood flooring nailer and a mallet to nail down 2-inch nailing cleats into the subfloor. This method is best for solid strip floors and plank floors.
- Staple down method: This method involves a pneumatic gun stapling down a 1.5 to 2-inch staple into the hardwood and subfloor. Many wood flooring manufacturers recommend homeowners to work with professional installers like Valor Home Services if you want to install flooring with staples.
- Glue-down method: When trying the glue-down method, you adhere hardwood flooring to the subfloor by spreading a mastic or adhesive with a proper sized trowel on the back of each board. Engineered wood floors and parquets are the best contenders for the glue-down method.
- Floating method: With the floating method, your hardwood floors are not mechanically fastened to the subfloor. Instead, there is thin padding placed between the hardwood floor and the subfloor. You place wood glue on the tongue and groove of each plank to hold the planks together. Hardwood flooring with padding protects your floors against moisture, reduces noise transmission and much more. The best hardwood flooring options for the floating installation method are some engineered floors and long strip floors.
We recommend working with us for all your flooring installation needs. We can properly and professionally install any type of flooring you need. We provide quality service and products by making sure your home meets your standards.
What is the best way to clean hardwood flooring?
There are a few steps you should do while you clean and maintain your hardwood floors. Dirt and crumbs can act like sandpaper and over time can damage your hardwood floors. To prevent this from happening, we recommend placing mats and rugs in front of entrances, exits and areas prone to many messes like the kitchen sink. For an easy and quick way to maintain your floors, sweep and vacuum daily. Once you finish cleaning any dirt or grease, you can buff out your floors to restore its luster.
When looking at cleaners for your hardwood floors, do not use oil soaps or products with ammonia because they will dull the finish and performance of your floors. Since wood is a natural product, it will expand, contract, crack and split when exposed to moisture and water. We recommend never wet mopping or using excessive water to clean floors or messes. When you are cleaning your hardwood floors, use cleaning products designed for pre-finished wood. Give us a call to get a list of the best hardwood cleaning products that we recommend.
What are the benefits of hardwood flooring?
There are many benefits of hardwood flooring. These are just a few: they enhance the look of your home by adding elegance and warmth, are strong and durable, add better air quality to your home, add value to your home if you decide to sell it in the future, and can be re-finished. For more information on all the benefits of hardwood flooring, check out everything you need to know about hardwood floors here or contact us today.
Should I use unfinished or finished hardwood flooring?
At Valor Home Services, you have the choice between both unfinished and finished hardwood flooring. Unfinished wood floors allow you the opportunity for a custom job by choosing the wood finish. Once you choose your wood finish, we sand and stain it at the job site (your home.) Unfinished wood floors also give you the chance to level the floor’s surface after installation.
Pre-finished hardwood floors arrive at your home installation-ready. These hardwood boards were already sanded, stained and finished at the manufacturing site. And in most cases, pre-finished wood floors have a harder, better-protected surface. If you are looking for a hardwood flooring that offers a wide variety of wood species and saves hours of labor and cleanup, then pre-finished hardwood is the way to go.
Do you have more questions about hardwood flooring in Belleville, O’Fallen, Edwardsville or the surrounding areas? Feel free to reach out to us today to answer all your unfinished questions about hardwood flooring and more.
