Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any custom home design. However, when they get damaged, they tend to lose some of their beauty. As a homeowner, there are things you can do to protect them once you are living in your finished custom home. Here’s how to protect hardwood floors from scratches:
1. Keep Outdoor Entrances Clean
There are many pros and cons of hardwood flooring, and being prone to scratches is one of the biggest potential drawbacks. Even the smallest dirt particles can scratch hardwood floors over time. In order to prevent this, try to get a handle on dirt and debris before they even have a chance to enter your home. Of course, it’s impossible to keep any dirt from entering the home, but there are things you can do to cut back on it.
Make sure any of the areas around your home entrances are clean, or as clean as they can be. Try to keep the areas swept so that people don’t track in dirt. You may also want to have doormats in front of your entrances to help loosen any debris from shoes. Not having a doormat or weather-resistant rug in place is a common entryway mistake to avoid.
2. Adopt a No-Shoes Policy
Wearing shoes in your house often is the cause of scratches on your hardwood floors. By adopting a no-shoes policy, you will eliminate a lot of damage. Shoes with a heel or sports shoes can cause dents and scratches on your hardwood floors, while soft-soled shoes can also track in dirt that then can scratch the floors.
Make sure any entrance has a designated shoe area, such as a shoe tray or shoe rack. That way, guests know exactly where to keep their shoes and often notice and take off their shoes without even being asked. There are plenty of entryway storage ideas to try, such as a bench with built-in storage or built-in shoe cubbies.
If you feel like you have to have something on your feet that isn’t just socks, consider getting some nice house slippers. Make sure these don’t go outside so you don’t track in any dirt. You can even keep an extra pair or two for any guests who want to wear house slippers.
3. Keep Rugs in High-Traffic Areas
If you’re looking for an easy solution to protect your hardwood floors from scratches, consider laying down rugs or mats in areas that get a lot of traffic. Not only is using area rugs a popular flooring trend, but it’s also a great way to protect your floors from scratches as well as any water damage.
Place rugs or mats inside and outside each entrance to keep dirt from getting any further than those areas. Make sure your rugs and mats are securely in place to avoid any injury. If they’re not securely in place, people can trip and fall, which is an accident anyone wishes to avoid.
4. Use Furniture Pads
Anytime your furniture moves or drags across your hardwood floors, you risk scratches and scuffs. To avoid these scratches or scuffs, make sure you use furniture pads on all of your furniture that is used on hardwood floors. If you need protection on any furniture in a quick pinch, use an old sock, a business card, or scrap paper. However, furniture pads are an ideal long-term solution because they can also make arranging furniture much easier.
You should also avoid any furniture that is on wheels. Wheels, even small ones, can cause scratches or dents in your hardwood floors. If a furniture item has wheels, and you still want it, consider moving those wheels and replacing them with a furniture pad.
If you know you’ll rearrange your furniture often in a specific room, hardwood flooring might not be the best choice for you. Figuring out how much floor traffic there will be or how the room will be used is necessary when you think about choosing the right flooring for your custom home.
5. Trim Your Pet’s Claws
Unfortunately, your furry friend’s claws can cause scratches to hardwood floors. However, you don’t have to keep your pet off those floors. Just make sure their nails have been properly maintained. If you don’t feel comfortable trimming their nails yourselves, groomers can provide that service. You can also use solutions such as pet booties or nail caps. These solutions will still protect your floors, and no nail trimming is required!
If you’re considering hardwood floors in your custom home and have pets, you may want to consider some of the best flooring options for pet owners. Materials like ceramic tile, bamboo, or luxury vinyl tile are much more durable than hardwood and can withstand scratches and heavy use from pets. Plus, a material like luxury vinyl tile can be made to look as realistic as hardwood, so you get both the design and durability you need.
6. Plan and Follow a Cleaning Schedule
If your floor is clean, there’s a lower chance of scratches occurring. Making sure you’re getting rid of dust or other particles quickly can keep your floors protected. The more regularly you clean, the better.
Following a cleaning schedule can help you stay on track to keep your hardwood floors clean and scratch-free. Try sweeping hardwood floors daily or at least every other day, with a weekly vacuum or mopping. Soft mops, brooms, and vacuums are great tools to use. Look for microfiber materials and vacuums that have soft attachments. Avoid anything with sharp or stiff bristles.
If you’re looking for an extra layer of protection against scratches, consider having a protectant sealant applied to your hardwood floors. This can make a big difference and help protect your hardwood floors to keep them looking great long-term. Polyurethane is one of the most popular choices, and it comes in water or oil-based formulas. However, a professional can suggest the best choice for your floor. Allow the seal to fully dry and cure before putting any rugs or furniture back on the area.
This is just an overview of how to protect hardwood floors from scratches. Hardwood floors are beautiful, but do require a certain level of maintenance to keep them looking nice. If you’re ready to get started on designing your custom home, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090. We can help bring your dream home to life, no matter the preferred flooring in your design!
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