The phrase hardwood floor used to mean just one thing — wood strips cut to size, glued or nailed to the subfloor, sanded and finished by professional contractors on site. These floors are typically sealed with wax or coats of polyurethane to preserve their beauty.

 

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Thanks to advances in manufacturing technology, a wider range of flooring is available today.

Pre-finished and laminate floors feature a tough, ready-to-walk-on surface that’s applied at the factory. Manufacturers use materials and employ surface-application pressures that cannot be obtained by contractors installing a traditional hardwood floor on site. Pre-finished floors may be attached to the subfloor like traditional hardwood, or “floated” without the use of nailing or adhesives. Most laminate floors are floating floors, featuring snap-together panels.

The following tips pertain to site-finished hardwood floors, but the principles apply to all wood or simulated wood floors:

 

• Sweep or vacuum the floor frequently to get rid of damaging dirt and grit that wears on the protective finish.
  
  
• Place mats or area rugs at all entrances to capture incoming grit and dirt. Vacuum or shake them out at least as often as you sweep or vacuum the floor.
  
  
• Always wipe up spills immediately using a soft towel dampened in clean water. Place a small rug over hardwood flooring in front of sinks and vanities to prevent wear and to capture splashes, drips and spills.
  
  
• Don’t soak-mop a hardwood floor. Standing water can seep between boards and cause swelling or discoloration. “Damp” mopping may be OK, but test first in an inconspicuous location and check results first before cleaning the entire floor in this way. Be sure to press as much water or cleaning solution out of the mop as possible before placing it on the floor.
  
  
• Work with clean water or a neutral cleaner, such as a highly diluted solution of hand dishwashing liquid.
  
  
• If your floor has been maintained with a paste wax (somewhat rare these days), remember that too much wax will dull the finish. Try buffing the surface first.
  
  
• Place glides under heavy furniture legs to prevent scratching the finish.
  
  
• Watch those heels and cleats! Spiky high heels and athletic shoes with metal cleats exert enough pressure to damage many kinds of floor surfaces, not just hardwoods.
  
  
• Pick up heavy furniture to move it — don’t slide it across the surface.

Reference:

 

National Wood Flooring Association.