Hardwood floors are beautiful but must be carefully maintained and cared for to ensure their continued beauty over time. Please be aware that pointed instruments such as sharp toys, athletic shoe cleats or high-heeled shoes with a small diameter heel point can cause indentations in all hardwood floors. Medium to high gloss finishes will accentuate the appearance of dents, scratches, swirl marks from buffing, and every day wear and tear. Height differences at side joints and joints where boards butt up against each other will be more visible in “square edge” products with slightly beveled edges.
Areas of wood that are covered with area rugs and furniture will age differently than those areas that are left exposed. This is a natural process that does not indicate a defect in the material and is not a basis for concern or complaint. Use caution when choosing area rugs or rubber backed pads to cover your wood floors, as the color from these products can penetrate the wood floor and once discolored, it may be impossible to remove.
Additionally, a natural characteristic of wood is to swell when exposed to moisture that can cause the wood to warp. In extreme cases of excessive moisture such as a plumbing failure, the moisture can even force the wood off the sub-floor by weakening the adhesives and requiring complete replacement. New West Designs, Inc. cautions Customer’s to promptly and thoroughly wipe up any liquid spills on the wood floor as we are not responsible for damage to wood flooring caused by exposure to moisture. The wood manufacturers do not recommend wood flooring in high moisture areas such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. If you choose to have wood flooring in those areas, New West Designs, Inc. will not be responsible for any moisture related problems. Never use steam cleaners on wood flooring products.
Your hardwood floor will be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines. Trim pieces such as nosing for stairs or a step-down area may come from a different material and may not be an exact match. Quarter Round trim (used along the perimeter) will be painted white where the wood floor meets the walls and white cabinets, and will be stained to compliment areas where the wood floor meets stained cabinetry. An exact match is neither implied nor guaranteed.
Distressed Wood Products: Distressed floors have a finish made to achieve the look of an aged floor; you can expect a very rough finish with dents and scratches and many uneven boards. There will be variations in the finish color and texture, and high and low boards throughout the installation. This will not be a basis for complaint, or a reason for replacing boards. If you are concerned with any of the above characteristics, please ask your Designer to show you a different product.
The character and elegance of a hardwood floor makes it a favorite among homeowners. By following these maintenance tips you will enhance its timeless, natural beauty.
Place walk off mats at each entryway to collect dirt and grit that might be tracked in. These tiny particles act like sandpaper and will scratch your floor. Be sure to avoid using rubber-backed or non-ventilated mats or rugs as they can damage your floor instead use mats made especially for hardwood floors and remember to shake them out regularly. In addition to entryways, be sure to place mats in any areas where water may be splashed, such as near a kitchen sink.
Sweeping your floor regularly will pick up grains of dirt and other particles. A vacuum cleaner, without a beater bar, can be helpful in between planks and other hard to reach areas. Once dirt and grease are gone buffing can help restore the luster.
Cleaning techniques vary depending on the installation and finish of your hardwood floor. For Finish in Place hardwood floors, a BonaMop and Bona cleaner are recommended. The BonaMop is a 8"x14" terrycloth mop with a rotating head that makes cleaning corners, under cabinets and along base boards an easy task. Spray on the Bona Cleaner to safely remove tough stains and spills without dulling the finish on the floor.
Manufacturers of Pre-finished hardwood floors recommend their own specific products designed for their floors for routine maintenance. Be sure to check with your design consultant for these cleaners.
All floors with a urethane finish should never be waxed and require cleaners that won't leave a film or residue. A hardwood floor cleaner is useful in removing occasional scuffs or heel marks. Merely spray some cleaner on a cloth and lightly rub the stained area. Sticky spots can be cleaned with a damp towel or sponge. Do not use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor, as they will dull the finish and performance of your floor. These products will affect the ability to recoat your floor later.
Since wood naturally expands when it is wet, never use excessive water to clean your floor. Large amounts of water can cause the wood to swell and may cause your floor to crack or splinter.
If your floor is showing excessive wear beyond normal cleaning you may want to consider screening and recoating. Screening is the process used to abrade the polyurethane finish that is currently on the floor. Next, fresh coats of urethane are applied. Screening and recoating will rejuvenate and prolong the life of your floor.
If the damage to the floor is severe and has gone through the stain of the boards down to the bare wood, you can sand and refinish. This should only be done if a screening and recoating does not solve the problem. This is an extensive process where the floor is sanded down to the bare wood, restained and then refinished. If the damage is only in a small area you may want to see if replacement boards are available to alleviate having to refinish an entire area.
Be certain to hire an experienced professional when having any work done on your hardwood floor.
Cover furniture and table legs with protectors to guard your floor against damage. Take care when moving heavy objects across your floor to avoid scuffing. Stiletto heals will cause dents and scratches which are not covered by warranty.
All hardwood floors will fade, darken or change shades over time. Exposure to sunlight will greatly increase this process. Window treatments are recommended as well as rotating area rugs and furniture regularly allowing floors to age evenly.
