Why Wood Flooring?
Your Local Hardwood Flooring Experts in Colorado Springs, CO
At Pryor Floor in Colorado Springs, CO, hardwood flooring is our sole focus. Because it is the only type of flooring we specialize in, we have extensive knowledge of hardwood floors and their installation and maintenance. The beauty and richness of hardwood flooring is unmatched by other flooring options, but we believe in the importance of knowing how to care for your wood floors and having reasonable expectations for their performance.
When it comes to choosing the right hardwood floor for your space, there are several grades and species of wood. There are also many different millings, such as prefinished vs. site-finished wood, laminate vs. solid wood, and more. The options can become overwhelming, so the team at Pryor Floor is here to help. We’re here to ensure you find wood flooring that meets your needs and budget, while also complimenting your style.
Below is some helpful information on what you should expect with your new or refurbished hardwood floors.
Is Wood Flooring Right for You?
With proper care, solid wood floors can last a lifetime.
Regular cleaning and maintenance coats of finish are crucial to ensuring a long-lasting hardwood floor. Our staff will advise you on the best care products and procedures for your particular floor. Properly manufactured and installed wood experience some shrinkage during cold, winter months. These shrinkage cracks are merely cosmetic and normally close up during the following summer.
Proper wood flooring installation starts with a good subfloor.
Hardwood flooring will follow any surface problems in the subfloor, so any humps and dips should be removed before installation. In existing homes, the subfloor should be re-nailed or screwed to the joists in any areas where the floor squeaks or feels spongy. When choosing subfloor material, 3/4” plywood or pine boards laid at a 45-degree angle are the most reliable as particle board, waferboard, or oriented-strand board subfloors don’t have the same nail-holding power.
Wood flooring is a natural product, with inherent variations in color, grain pattern, and texture.
Hardwood floors are made up of several individual boards that move independently of one another to varying degrees, depending on changes in temperature and humidity and movement of underlying structural components. Softer, more porous open grain wood will sand deeper and absorb more stain and finish. This prevents the floor from appearing perfectly flat and uniform, especially when looking at it from across a wide open, well-lit area.
Remember, nature’s imperfections are what give character and beauty to hardwood flooring and make each floor unique.
Floor Maintenance
While hardwood floors are durable, they aren’t indestructible. Pryor Floor can help you maintain your wood flooring by applying a polyurethane finish. We will also advise you on proper cleaning products and techniques.
Cleaning
Sweep or dust mop your floors regularly to remove dust or grit that can be abrasive to the finish. You may vacuum your floors, but do not use any attachments that are intended for carpet and will scratch the floor. Use a damp mop on your floors periodically and avoid using any product with wax or oil. We recommend using a solution of 1 to 3 oz. of Hillyard’s Super Shine-All to one gallon of cold water (rinsing is not necessary). A mild solution of vinegar and water will also do.
Maintenance Coats
Your floors will begin to dull as the finish wears over time, especially in high-traffic areas. When this begins to happen, contact us to screen, spot fill and apply another coat of polyurethane finish on your floors. We recommend high-traffic areas, such as entryways and kitchens, be maintenance coated every 1-2 years while less-travelled areas only need a maintenance coat every 3-5 years. If you wait too long to have your wood floors maintenance coated, you may wear through the finish and expose the grain of the wood to staining. If this occurs, sanding and refinishing is required, which is a more costly process.
Protecting Your Floor’s Finish
Placing rugs in critical wear areas will help you extend the life of your finish. We also recommend adding felt glides on the legs of chairs, tables, and furniture that slide across your wood floors. All furniture and appliances should be carried and set in place rather than dragged or slid across your floors. Pryor Floor has a variety of accessories to protect and maintain hardwood floors, so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us.
For additional information to help you determine if hardwood floors are right for you, give us a call today at (719) 573-1010! One of our experts will be happy to assist you.
