Flooring FAQs

A+ Hardwood Floors Offers A+ Advice About Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors from Denver’s A+ Hardwood Floors make an excellent choice in any home. However, with great flooring comes great responsibility. Hardwood floors require maintenance to keep them from appearing dull and lifeless. Our hardwood flooring professionals have gathered the answers to some of the questions we receive the most often from our customers in Colorado. Should you not see the answer to your question listed below, we encourage you to reach out to us. We’re always happy to help!

How Often Should You Clean Hardwood Floors?

As long as you care for them, hardwood floors are among the most durable and attractive types of flooring money can buy. Many of our customers ask how often they should clean their wood floors. This answer largely depends on if your floors are sealed or unsealed. We recommend mopping your hardwood floors at least once a week, no matter how many people live in your house. However, unsealed wood floors shouldn’t be exposed to water very often. It would also be best if you wrung out your mop’s excess water before mopping unsealed floors. We also recommend dusting, sweeping, or vacuuming your wood floors at least three times a week. Be sure to sweep them first using a soft-bristle broom before mopping to avoid dirt and dust build-up. Get other maintenance tips from our team who has over 25 years of experience with hardwood flooring installation, maintenance, and refinishing.

How Can You Protect Wood Floors From Furniture Scratches?

We recommend buying felt chair glides, which go on the bottom of chair, table, and dresser legs to reduce the number of scratches caused by sliding furniture across your floors. We also suggest using area rugs and welcome mats wherever possible to offer an extra layer of protection on your flooring.

Are Scratches on Your Hardwood Floors Fixable?

Depending on how deep your scratches are, you may be able to hide or fix them. Polishing your hardwood floors once or twice per month can help you hide minor scratches and blemishes. Many hardwood floor manufacturers offer touch-up kits with putty fillers that can be color-matched to your wood species to refill minor scratches. For scratches that can’t be fixed, you could consider covering them up with a beautiful area rug. You could also benefit from the occasional hardwood floor refinishing from A+ Hardwood Floors. Our team uses state-of-the-art technology to make the refinishing process dustless and less messy when compared to traditional floor sanding, which is especially helpful for those with allergies. We’ll be in and out of your home with minimal disruption to your routine.

Should You Install Hardwood Flooring in High-Traffic Areas?

Hardwood floors are suitable for any room of the house above ground, even those that tend to see the heaviest amounts of foot traffic. However, we do not generally recommend installing hardwood floors in bathrooms or basements due to their moisture issues. We always suggest adding welcome mats at doorways and area rugs in hallways or around sink areas to reduce the amount of dirt, dust, or moisture tracked onto your wood floors. The heavier the traffic, the harder you’ll have to work to keep your hardwood floors clean.

What Types of Hardwood Flooring Are the Most Durable?

Hardwood flooring comes in many species, including oak, ash, birch, beech, teak, walnut, cherry, maple, hickory, and bamboo. Generally, the most durable hardwood floor species include oak, hickory, mahogany, maple, and teak. Hardwood flooring costs will vary depending on which species you choose and the size of the area being covered. No matter your budget, A+ Hardwood Floors can help you select the best type of hardwood flooring for your budget and lifestyle.

What’s the Difference Between Hardwood & Engineered Hardwood?

Engineered hardwood flooring makes a wonderful substitute for natural hardwood flooring if you’re on a tight budget. Constructed of layered plywood, engineered hardwood flooring is often less expensive and easier to maintain because of its natural resistance to water. A+ Hardwood Floors offers pre-finished hardwood flooring and pre-finished engineered hardwood flooring for your Denver home. Overall, real wood flooring is more durable and easier to match to existing home décor due to the number of tree species to choose from, including oak flooring. However, if hardwood flooring costs are your main concern, engineered hardwood flooring makes a wise investment. Compare and contrast engineered vs. natural hardwood flooring with our professionals before making your final decision.

How Does Moisture Affect Your Home’s Hardwood Flooring?

Too much moisture can damage your hardwood flooring over time, leading to warping, buckling, cupping, or cracking. Warping is caused by excess moisture, either below the floor or standing water found on the surface. Buckling is caused by the wood expanding and contracting, creating uneven surfaces as the floorboards rise. Cupping occurs when water gets trapped between your wood floor and the subfloor beneath it. Weather can have an affect your hardwood floors if it is too humid. When cleaning your hardwood floors, we suggest wringing out the mop first and not overdoing it with the cleaning products. If you have stubborn sticky spots, try using a damp cloth and a specially formulated hardwood floor cleaner. Never use harsh chemicals on your hardwood floors.

What Are the Benefits of Installing Hardwood Floors?

Many Denver-area homeowners choose to install hardwood floors because of their high-end appearance. Hardwood floors add an inviting element to any space with their timeless beauty, boosting your home’s resale value. Other benefits of hardwood flooring include its cost-effectiveness to install and repair, its durability and strength, and its versatility of hues, finishes, and wood stains to complement your home’s décor. If you suffer from allergies, hardwood flooring is better than carpet because it traps less dirt, dust, and pet dander, resulting in healthier indoor air.

Can You Install Hardwood Flooring Over a Concrete Slab?

Yes, but you should only do so if your concrete slab is properly prepared by a professional. A+ Hardwood Floors is experienced with installing hardwood floors over concrete to ensure the installation is a success. Considerations include the grade level of your concrete slab, the age of your concrete floor, and the amount of moisture that enters your home from the ground. Waterproofing may be necessary before installing your new hardwood flooring. We may also suggest installing a plywood subfloor or a floating floor for the best results.

Why Does the Color of Hardwood Flooring Change Over Time?

Different species of hardwood flooring are more susceptible to fading from exposure to sunlight than others. It’s not uncommon for lighter softwoods such as pine to darken over time, while darker wood species such as walnut may lighten over time. You may also notice some natural color variation from plank to plank of your hardwood flooring even after it’s first installed. However, stains for wood can be color-matched to your floor’s species to create a more uniform look if desired. A+ Hardwood Floors would be happy to help you select the best hardwood stain for your floor. Contact us today with any additional questions or concerns you may have for our hardwood flooring experts!