Wooden floors that have been expertly installed are the delight of any home, but they will lose their colour and shine over time. The speed with which this occurs is dependent by how well you maintain your flooring, what you use to protect them, and how much traffic passes through your home. Protecting solid oak flooring is best done as soon as it is installed and then maintained periodically. When your floors begin to seem worn and dingy, it’s an indication that they’re in desperate need of some tender loving care.
You can perform a few things yourself instead of hiring an experienced floor fitter. The simplest and most effective solution is to simply oil the flooring, which will absorb into the surface and provide an additional layer of protection while also improving the colour and bringing out the grain.
Oak flooring love to absorb moisture
This may appear to be a good thing, but water and hardwood flooring do not mix well. When protecting solid oak flooring you prevent the wood from absorbing water. wooden floors function like a sponge, soaking up any moisture that can cause the wood to swell and distort. Oil acts as a moisture barrier, preventing water from penetrating the surface and allowing you more time to clean up any spills.
Protecting solid oak flooring if you have pets
If you own cats or dogs and have wooden flooring in your home, you know that they are not only exceedingly slippery but also scratch easily. Any surface scratches can be carefully sanded and oiled to restore the floor’s original appearance while also providing a non-slip layer.
If the scratches and damage are too deep in the wood to be repaired by yourself, you might consider speaking with a professional floor fitter from JG Flooring who can thoroughly assess the damage and recommend our comprehensive sand and seal service, which uses industry standard equipment.
Bringing out the grain
Once you’ve finished oiling your solid oak floors, you’ll notice how it has improved the natural colour appearance and enhanced the charm of the wood.
