Wood Floors
There is a timeless quality and charm associated with wood flooring. Without doubt, wood floors bring warmth to a room while enhancing any style, whether contemporary or traditional. In addition, wood floors appear as an extension of the furniture, pulling everything together beautifully. Because of the long list of benefits, wood floors add value to a home. A recent national study showed that 90% of real estate agents surveyed stated homes with wood floors have better resale value and do not stay on the market as long as homes with carpeting.
Because wood is a natural resource, you can easily find all different types of wood from which to choose. For people with allergies or respiratory problems, wood floors eliminate most allergens that can trigger an attack. In the past few years, new technology has developed, creating a vast array of choices in stain, styles, finishes, and design. Some wood floors are very practical and easy to take care of while others are more complex. However, with proper care, a good quality wood floor should never have to be replaced. For this reason, although you may pay a little more initially, the overall savings are incredible.
To determine the best care for your particular floor, you want to check with your installer or manufacturer since some wood floors require a little more maintenance than other floors. For example, some manufacturers apply special coatings to the wood, which means the floor lasts longer. Therefore, so you know the proper way to care for your beautiful wood flooring, you need to know the exact finish, whether shellac, wax, varnish, or a surface finish.
If you have purchased a home with wood floors already installed prior to the 1960s, you can be confident that the finish is either shellac or varnish. To confirm this, gently scratch the surface with the edge of a coin or some other type of sharp object in an inconspicuous area. If the finish flakes, then you have indeed confirmed the finish is shellac or varnish. These two types of finishes are seldom used anymore since the floor requires a complete sanding before the application can be done.
Another test would be to put a couple small drops of water on the floor, again in an area where no one will see, such as the corner of a closet. Within about 10 to 15 minutes, if white spots appear, the floor has a wax finish. Finally, if the finish does not flake, or white spots do not appear, then you have a surface finish. Regardless of the surface that you have or choose, you can be assured that you will love your wood floor and the beauty it brings to your home.