A new floor purchase may be challenging and pricey. Because of this, it’s crucial to make sure you purchase and install wooden flooring with long-lasting quality assured. It is especially true for engineered wood flooring, which often costs more than a normal laminate or vinyl floor.
So, what are the key elements that affect the longevity of your floors, and how long should it last? There is no definitive answer to how long your timber floor should endure. However, considering a few factors should provide a good estimate of the general lifespan of timber flooring.
How Long Can Timber Flooring Last?
Timber flooring is a popular option for residences. However, sometimes, it is the costlier alternative. Additionally, installing timber floors is an attractive investment in the appeal and value of your home. So, how long does wooden flooring last?
The typical lifespan of timber flooring is 100 years under normal conditions, including natural wear and tear and no extraordinary incidents. Engineered flooring has a 50-year lifespan. The lifetime of wood flooring may be shortened by significantly damaging unprotected flooring, choosing softer woods, and not maintaining them.
What Factors Affect the Lifespan of Hardwood Flooring?
This question does not have a concrete answer. Engineered hardwood flooring has a lifespan of around half that of solid hardwood floors, which may last up to a century. Therefore, there is a significant probability that your timber flooring will last most of your lifetime, regardless of the material. However, there may also be variations depending on other elements, such as the following:
Flooring Type
Choosing your timber flooring types can be overwhelming but each has its own benefits and downfalls. Solid hardwood flooring will generally survive longer than more recent engineered flooring choices. Engineered hardwood, for example, has a shorter lifespan but is engineered to give great stability, making it more secure. Nevertheless, some more modern flooring also has benefits that make it a better option.
Flooring Placement
A floor will endure less time the more people walk on it. Flooring in a public corridor will last less time than flooring in an upper guest bedroom that is only used occasionally.
Flooring Usage
When individuals remove their shoes in the home, the floor is less likely to be damaged when they walk on it. However, wearing heavy boots or high heels may have a greater impact on the floor, which might shorten their lifespan.
How Can You Easily Maintain Hardwood Flooring?
The maintenance of hardwood floors is another aspect that affects lifespan. Routine maintenance is only the beginning; what’s more important is what kind of products are being utilised. Many still support the use of vinegar and water to clean floors.
However, they may not realise how harmful this cleaning technique could be in the long run. Depending on how much is used, harsh chemicals and products may cause finishes to wear down over time and force floors to need refinishing more often.
Therefore, it can shorten the total lifespan of your hardwood floors. Here are the topmost tips to keep in mind while maintaining timber flooring.
- You should vacuum or hoover your flooring with a dry dusting mop every few days. Moreover, you need to make certain to select the wooden floor mode on your machine. This avoids the accumulation of extra dirt, which, if allowed to accumulate, might cause scratches to emerge on the floor.
- Engineered hardwood flooring often handles moisture better than solid wooden floors. However, experts still advise against letting the floors be completely wet. Use a damp mop rather than one completely drenched to take care of your engineered flooring.
- It will also be simpler to clean them if spills and stains are dealt with right away. In the end, this will help your engineered flooring last longer and look better.
What Should You Know About Timber Flooring Installation?
The lifespan of hardwood flooring is also significantly influenced by how the flooring is installed. It’s important to consider the timber flooring installation process before the installers arrive. A few techniques are involved in installing wooden flooring, including floor preparation and acclimation. The subfloor must also be level at the same time.
Each plank of the floorboards must be separated from the others to account for seasonal fluctuations. It’s crucial to allow enough space between each floorboard since wood grows in the summer and compresses in the winter. If these wedges are not left in between, you may have to replace your flooring much sooner than necessary.
Increase the Lifespan of Timber Flooring
Among the most popular sorts of flooring is wooden flooring. However, it requires a lot of care, maintenance, and upkeep to guarantee it lives a full life. So, now we need to know how long hardwood floors survive. While some would argue that it can last forever, many would beg to disagree.
The truth is that if hardwood flooring is properly maintained and cared for throughout its lifespan, it will last longer, maybe more than homeowners. Timber flooring can last for a century if maintained correctly.