The timeless beauty of hardwood flooring can significantly increase the visual appeal of your house. However, how well you maintain this investment will determine how long it lasts. With proper maintenance, hardwood floors can endure for many years, contributing significantly to your treasured home’s memories.
Assessing Wood Floor Wear
If the floor is solid wood, insert a utility knife into a board crack and measure the penetration depth. You can assess how much of the wear layer has to be sanded off by marking it with your fingernail. The second is that it’s typically too far gone if you notice a lot of bright nailheads protruding. Lastly, if you notice cracks that are about 3/8″ in diameter and align with the groove, it typically means that the floor has lost all structural support since the groove is beginning to move and break on its own.
If the floor has been removed too far, a screen and coat can usually be applied. It’s preferable to do nothing with a floor that has reached the end of its useful life since it will ultimately fail. The top part of the groove had been sanded so many times that it had lost all of its vitality and life. This revealed areas where it was fractured and splintered.
How to notice before refinish
When you have to refinish an old floor, how can you know if the floor is reaching the end of its service life? First, you should use the cleaners specified by the finish maker. If you maintain it every six to eight years, depending on traffic, you can go in and gently screen it and apply a new coat of finish without having to remove extra layers of wood and resand. You can do a buff and coat instead.
Wax-finished floors should be rewaxed regularly to ensure that they can be refinished. To preserve a floor that can be refinished, flooring with a wax finish should be rewaxed occasionally. Utilizing a pre-made cleaner from the finish maker is sufficient for those with a urethane finish. Never, ever use polish on the floor because it can cause problems in the future.
How Long Does Hardwood Flooring Last?
Hardwood flooring is well-known for its durability, which may last for generations when properly maintained. With proper care and maintenance, hardwood flooring can last for 25 to 100 years or more.
25-50 Years: In moderate-use areas with good maintenance, hardwood flooring can easily last 25 to 50 years. This timeframe is typical for many houses and matches the longevity of most hardwood species.
50-75 Years: With proper upkeep and little foot traffic, hardwood floors can last for decades and still look great. This durability is possible with hardwoods noted for their hardness and tenacity.
75-100 Years: Well-maintained hardwood floors, along with resilient wood species and low wear and tear, can last 75 years or more.