Flooring

Choosing the Right Hardwood Flooring

There’s something about hardwood flooring that really gives a home that timeless character. And best of all, it can provide that cohesive element that can go with any type of design. But of course, with the variety of selections available, it can be confusing to figure out which style is best suited for your home. Rustic Maple? Oak? Walnut, Birch?  So before you begin shopping for your flooring, here are some factors to consider that can help you in choosing the right hardwood flooring that will keep up with your lifestyle and home.

Lifestyle


Before you get your heart set on any particular style of flooring, it’s important to consider a style and colour that will keep up with your lifestyle first. If you have kids or pets, you must take that into consideration so that you won’t end up with a style or stain that will mark up as easily. When it comes to hectic lifestyles, with many footprints that may be coming and going, hardwoods such as hickory and walnut are most resilient to wear and tear.

Budget


The next important factor to take note of before heading out to shop is your budget. Different types of hardwood can vary with price range. Solid hardwoods such as oak, or exotic hardwoods such as bamboo can consume your budget way beyond your expectations. Always be realistic with what you can afford. There are a variety of budget-friendly options that can deliver that timeless hardwood look, that have been engineered with blends to provide you with both affordability and aesthetics.

Maintenance


No one wants to have to vacuum or mop the floor several times a day just to maintain it. Consider the shade of flooring that will be most convenient. If you do have a hectic household, lighter flooring can be much easier for hiding dust and dirt so that you don’t have to bring out the mop so often. Darker shades tend to place any dust on display.

But maintenance is important in getting the most longevity out of your flooring, so always ensure you know what the most recommended method is for cleaning it. Each type can differ depending on the variations.

When it comes to selecting hardwood flooring that’s the right choice for your home, these are the most important factors to consider first. Once you determine how and what will fit in with your lifestyle the most, you can easily narrow down your options and make that selection process a whole lot easier when you head out to shop.

When planning a home renovation, flooring is just one of the many design choices you need to think about. Want a little expert help? Contact us or give RenosGroup.ca a call at (613)727-9427 – we do it all to bring timeless designs to life.

How to Care for Hardwood Floors

Have you recently had hardwood floors installed as part of an Ottawa home renovation? Do you want to keep your original hardwood floors in good condition? Follow these tips on how to care for hardwood floors:

The trick with hardwood floors is to practice simple and quick daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance. This will spare you the hassle and expense of more intensive (and expensive!) restoration down the road. You should dust daily to sweep up dust, hair, dirt, pet dander, food remnants, and other nasties. If left unattended, these particles can scratch your floor. Use a soft material like microfibre to attract dust and prevent scratching. If something gets spilled on the floors, wipe it up immediately.

Vacuum your floors about once per week. Use an attachment with a brush or felt head  designed specifically for use on hardwood floors, as beater bars or the regular vacuum can scratch the finish on your floors.

Polishing


Polish your floors with a water-based polish every season. These will restore the shine to your floor, and also fill in micro-scratches before they turn into more noticeable blights on your floor. Make sure you wipe your floors dry with a soft cloth, as standing water can damage wood floors.

Preventing Marks


Sometimes the biggest thing you can do to protect your hardwood floors is to adjust your behaviour. No one should ever walk with hardwood shoes on the floor. If you have high-trafficked areas, consider placing area rugs to reduce wear on your floors. Keep pet nails trimmed so they don’t scratch the finish with their claws. Place protective pads underneath your furniture and tables so they don’t scratch the floors if moved. Maintain a comfortable humidity level in the home.

How to Remove Marks


Even with attentive care, sometimes you can’t avoid getting marks on your floor – pet stains, water marks, heel scuffs, you name it. Most of these marks can be removed with floor wax, but it’s important to read the label beforehand and test on a small area first.

What to Avoid


Never used any products on your floor unless they are specifically for hardwood floors. Vinegar can dull the finish, soap and wax leave residues, and the heat and water from steam cleaners can do damage. Do not use bleach, ammonia, or abrasive cleaners.

Hardwood floors may be the crown jewel of your Ottawa home renovation, so treat them with care and they’ll look incredible for many years.  Contact us through our  online form, or give us a call at (613) 727-9427 to request your free in-home

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