Wood flooring can quickly become the heart of your home and when you find a good one and live happily with it for a few years, the prospect of ever having to change it can be daunting, expensive and a massive inconvenience.
But there are ways to avoid finding yourself in this situation.

On average, hardwood floors should last approximately ten years before they need to be refinished and they can be refinished up to ten times though this can vary depending on the species of wood.
Based on those figures, your newly fitted wood floors can easily last the entire duration of you living in that home and far beyond that but this depends on a few factors.

If we had to narrow it down to the three most important things you can do to prolong the life of your wood floors and ensure that you never have to get them changed, then here is what you should focus on.

INVEST IN PROFESSIONAL FITTERS FOR GOOD INSTALLATION

When buying new wood floors, we often focus on saving up for the product and are willing to put a lot of money towards the flooring itself but then budget when it comes to the fitting service. This is the first mistake.

Not only should you invest in a high quality product but you should also invest just as much money on the contractors as there is no point having beautiful, expensive wood floors if they are not going to be fitted correctly.

Poor installation can completely ruin the finished look. If the job is not done right then you could end up with gaps and loose boards or even boards being damaged during the installation process. These mistakes usually come as a direct result of inexperienced fitters or a rushed job.

Although paying more money doesn’t always equate to higher quality service, it can be a good indicator of the type of service you will get so be wary of looking for the cheapest contractors.

We have written a whole blog on ‘How To Find The Right Flooring Contractors’ if you need any specific advice on what to and what not to look for.

APPLY THE RIGHT FINISH

Your wood floor finish can have a huge impact on not only the appearance of your wood floors but also the lifespan of them.

Finishes can be applied to the wood after it is installed or before, although the latter is always better. They not only elevate the final look but can serve a range of other purposes such as making the wood water resistant, more durable and adding texture.

There are several different types of wood floor finishes to choose from with the most popular being polyurethane due to its high performance. This plastic coating is durable and moisture-resistant which will toughen your wood floors and help them last even longer.

You also have a choice of lacquers, waxes and oils if you are trying to achieve a different aesthetic.
You can learn more about wood flooring finishes in our blog: Finding The Right Finish For Your Wood Floors.

STAY ON TOP OF THE MAINTENANCE

Once your floor is fitted, the only thing that you need to do is ensure that it is regularly maintained and cleaned to prolong its life.
How the floor is maintained will depend on whether it is oiled or lacquered as well as how much traffic it receives.

All finishes naturally wear down over time which means refinishing is always necessary.
Oiled wood floors don’t need sanding back if they are well looked after but they may need re-oiling by a professional after 2 to 4 years; whereas, a lacquered floor will need sanding and refinishing between 4 and 8 years.

The more day to day care of both types of wood floor is pretty straightforward. They will need to be swept every day with a soft, fine bristle broom (no abrasive brushes) and undergo a deeper clean at least once a week using a damp mop or steam mop. Avoid using any harsh cleaning chemicals and instead opt for soaps that are specifically designed for wood floors. This will remove all the dirt, debris and bacteria that may get stuck in the grooves without stripping the finish and it will clear up any light stains that may cause your wood floors to discolour over time.

You will also need to wipe up any spills, especially water, right away to prevent moisture from penetrating the finish and getting into the wood causing distortion and damage.
This shouldn’t be a major inconvenience if care is being taken in the space where the wood floor has been fitted but accidents are unavoidable so it is important to be aware of them when they do happen and have some towels on hand to handle them.

You can also take other precautions to protect your wood floors and decrease the probability of dents, scratches and marks that may mean premature refinishing. For example, keep shoes off of the floor, place felt pads on the feet of your furniture and add rugs for extra protection.

If you need further advice on the maintenance of oiled wood floors then we explore all of this and more in our blog: How To Look After Your Wood Floors.

Of course, these are just the three things that we believe to be the most important, and the easiest, things you can do to increase the lifespan of your wood floors.
There are other actions that need to be taken such as keeping your wood floors free from moisture as much as possible, protecting them from sunlight, investing in a quality product to begin with and being aware of when refinishing is necessary.