How to Avoid Damaging Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood floors are any product made from wood which is specifically designed for application as interior or exterior flooring, both decorative and structural. Wood is an extremely popular choice as a surface covering and is available in a variety of colours, styles, finishes, and types. When choosing hardwood flooring there are some important things to consider before making a final choice. Hardwood floor installation may be an expensive proposition, but careful consideration of the installation process and budget will help ensure it meets your requirements.
A hardwood floor installation consists of a series of subfloors resting upon a base board, which is fitted into the floor space. The base board is made from different species of hardwood depending on the quality desired. You should first identify whether you want a laminate or solid hardwood flooring system. Laminate floorings consist of multi-layered boards, which consist of several small veneers to provide a more authentic wood look. Solid hardwood flooring systems are made up of one or more layers of genuine hardwood and are finished with various coats of sealant. View here to learn more on handling installed hardwood floors in your home.
Once you have decided on the type of hardwood flooring you require it is important to ensure it has been properly prepared. This will mean sanding and polishing the subfloor until it is free of imperfections and smooth. You can buy unfinished hardwood flooring, which will give you the chance to work closely with the manufacturer to achieve a custom finish. You will also need to ensure that any existing damage is repaired prior to fitting your new hardwood flooring system.
The most common reason for installing hardwood floors is to reduce the impact on the environment when they are being installed. To this end it is necessary to ensure that you choose a suitable underlayment to go with the wood floors. An underlayment will add additional structural support to the floor, especially under heavy traffic areas where the floor may get damaged. It is also advisable to opt for a type of underlayment which does not contain any form of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as these can greatly increase the level of environmental pollution caused by the underlayment. For more info on hardwood maintenance, see page here now!
When hardwood floors are being installed in a room that has a high level of humidity, it is essential to install a vapor barrier. This will help to keep the moisture out and stop mold and mildew forming. You should also avoid water near the floor and if possible install a vapor barrier completely. If you live in an area where you are prone to high levels of humidity, you may wish to consider using rubber underlayment instead.
Moisture plays a major factor when considering installing hardwood flooring in high humidity areas. It is therefore advisable to use a dehumidifier to reduce the amount of moisture present in the atmosphere. The best approach to take would be to ask your local hardwood flooring manufacturer or installer to test your home prior to installation, ideally inside out. If you find that there is moisture present in the air this could potentially cause damage to your wooden flooring. Get a general overview of the topic here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardwood_timber_production.
