FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Get all your answers to all things hardwood floors.
What’s the most popular type of wood for floors?
Oak is by far the most common and best choice for hardwood floors, thanks to its durability, long-lasting beauty, and its acceptance to many different stain colors. Maple, birch, and hickory are also great choices for flooring.
How long does it take to refinish my hardwood floors, and is there a lot of dust?
Most sanding and refinishing projects take 3 to 7 days, including the curing time. New floor installations are about 2 additional days, depending on the subfloor we remove (i.e., carpet, plywood, and tile tear-out if needed).
Our machines are equipped with dust containment systems that allow us to complete the sanding with minimal to no dust at all. We still recommend that customers remove valuables and furniture ahead of time.
How long do hardwood floors last?
Hardwood has a much longer lifespan than virtually any other type of flooring. With proper care and maintenance, it lasts 30 to 100 years. pending on the subfloor we remove (i.e., carpet, plywood, and tile tear-out if needed).
What footwear is safe for hardwood floors?
Socks, slippers, and bare feet are the gentlest. But any soft-soled shoe is fine—just avoid walking across hardwood floors in high heels and sports cleats.
What’s the best way to clean hardwood floors?
In areas like bedrooms and living rooms, dry dust mop every other day and vacuum weekly. In areas like kitchens, clean up any spills as quickly as possible. Avoid using steam mops or harsh abrasive chemicals, and make sure to ring out your mop as much as possible to avoid saturating the wood.
How do I care for hardwood floors areas covered by rugs?
Remove your rugs often and vacuum underneath at least monthly. Avoid using a carpet cleaner or wet vacuum to clean rugs directly over the hardwood—this can create rug marks and board cupping over time.
Will furniture and moving heavy appliances damage my floors?
Yes, furniture can easily scratch and/or damage hardwood floors. It’s best not to push, pull, or drag furniture across your floors. Use felt pads on the bottoms of furniture legs, especially with dining room and kitchen chairs. You can find these pads at any hardware store, or even your local dollar store.
When moving heavy appliances, we recommend using a dolly with rubber wheels, or a protective floor covering such as Ram Board® to protect the floor.
How long should I wait to have my floors done after water damage?
After the source of the leak has been addressed, we recommend waiting 4–6 weeks to allow flooring to dry before sanding and refinishing. To help expedite the process, we recommend using fans and/or dehumidifiers.
When moving heavy appliances, we recommend using a dolly with rubber wheels, or a protective floor covering such as Ram Board® to protect the floor.
How can I best protect my hardwood floors and keep their shine?
Consider having a new coat of polyurethane applied every 3-5 years to remove the dullness and protect your hardwood floors.
Is it safe to use painter’s tape on hardwood floors?
Yes, but avoid putting painter’s tape directly on the floor for at least 2 weeks after it’s been sanded and refinished.
Have a hardwood floor question that’s not here?
Please contact us with your specific question(s) so we can reply to you personally via phone or email.