The Benefits of a Wooden Floor

No other flooring offers the warmth, beauty, and value of wood. Wooden floors enhance the decor of any room, and provide timeless splendour that will increase in character throughout the years.

It is often seen that homes which have wooden floors sell faster and for higher prices than houses without wooden floors, thus bringing added value to your dwelling.

As wood does not collect dust and other allergens, many leading health associations agree that wooden floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home. Unlike carpets which act as giant sponges, soaking up dangerous chemicals and pollutants brought into the home on shoes and pets. Reports suggest the carpet is the largest reservoir of dust in the house, so a house with wooden floors will have one tenth the dust found in a carpeted home.

A solid wooden floor is extremely durable and can be re-sanded and re-finished several times over a number of years. Therefore the maintenance of wooden floors is easy giving you the customer peace of mind! But here are a few simple tips:

• Consider putting down a doormat to catch dirt rather than walking it onto the floor.

• Also think about areas of high traffic or activity such as the hallway or in front of the cooker - rugs are a good protector in these areas.

• Sweep or vacuum your floor at least once a week. This will remove any grit and dust that may otherwise be walked into the floor.

• Lightly mop a lacquered floor occasionally ensuring you use a damp mop as wood is naturally porous and not compatible with excess water.

• Attach floor protector pads to the legs of chairs and heavy furniture; if you have casters, use caster cups to prevent damage.

• Never wax a lacquered (varnished) finish.

• Never lacquer (varnish) a waxed finish.

• DO NOT use furniture polish on a wooden floor.

• After a few years, (usually at least 10 in a domestic setting) if your lacquered floor shows signs of wear and tear, its time to re-sand and re-varnish. Wax needs more regular upkeep: every six months scour with a fine-grade wire, buff, apply a layer of wax and buff again. Oiled floors will need 'oiling' annually.

• If properly maintained, a hardwood floor should last a lifetime.