Without proper care, hardwood floors will eventually wear down and look discolored. However, we are here to offer you the best tips on how to protect your real and engineered wood floors so they look beautiful for years to come.

1. Clean Up Spills Immediately

These types of floors are not waterproof like other flooring materials, so spills should be cleaned up immediately. Gently blot the spill from the hardwood floor surface and wipe it with a clean towel. If you want to install hardwood floors in your living room, we recommend placing mats at the front door to trap dirt and moisture.

2. Move Furniture To Avoid Faded Color

Ultraviolet rays eventually fade the color of your hardwood floor. However, there are different ways to prevent your hardwood floor from looking too faded. For example, if a room receives a lot of natural light, you can install awnings over the windows.
On the other hand, some exposure to the sun is inevitable, so it is advisable to rearrange the furniture from time to time so that the floor fades evenly. If you don’t make this change, over time you will notice a clear outline of your sofa when.

3. Reduce High Humidity

Since hardwood is a natural material, it expands and contracts with moisture. When humidity is highest (usually in summer), you may notice the wooden boards cupping. Cupping is what happens when wood fibers absorb water vapor from the air. Wooden boards have nowhere to go as they expand, so you may notice that the edges of the boards are higher than the center.

4. Avoid Low Humidity

Low humidity draws moisture out of the wood floor, so it contracts over time, resulting in gaps between the boards. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to monitor the humidity in your home with a hygrometer. Some thermostats even show humidity. We recommend keeping the humidity in your home between 35% and 55% throughout the year. Your solid wood floor will thank you.

5. Hire Reputable Contractors

When you choose FGL Flooring for your flooring needs, you don’t have to worry about dishonest or inexperienced contractors. Our team of flooring installers have been with us for years and have a reputation for producing quality results.