In this blog, we answer the question: how long should wood floors last? Read on to find out the answer and our recommendations.
There are several different types of wood flooring, including engineered wood, solid wood, reclaimed wood as well as parquet flooring.
So, how long should wood floors last?
In short, wooden flooring’s life expectancy, if properly treated and maintained, could be longer than 100 years. The number of Victorian wooden floor restoration projects you have undoubtedly seen is a testament to this. It is incredibly durable and when installed and treated correctly, looks like a masterpiece.
If you were, however, asking how long laminate flooring last, this would be a different story and could be anything from 10 – 30 years on average, depending on the material used and care given.
Here we have created a list of recommendations to ensure your wood flooring lasts the test of time.
Consider its purpose
When buying a wooden floor, it is important to consider where it will be installed and the expected purpose of the room(s).
For example, solid wood and engineered wood flooring should be avoided in bathrooms and other areas of high humidity as this can damage the wood over time.
By knowing and understanding this type of information, you can ensure you make an informed purchasing decision.
To understand more about the different types of wood flooring and their suitability, please read our blog ‘What are the different types of wood flooring?’.
How long should wood floors last: Properly installed
To prolong the life of your flooring, whether that be parquet, engineered wood, or hardwood flooring, ensure it is installed properly.
Although it may be tempting, this may not be the time to try out your DIY skills on your expensive floor. This could involve it either having to be replaced or even reinstalled again.
Wooden floor restoration
If you’re wondering how to fix a damaged wood floor, although it may be tempting to search the web for home remedies or wooden flooring cleaning products, in the hope it will fix the problem, it, unfortunately, could make the problem a whole lot worse.
The recommendations may appear to be from ‘so-called’ wood flooring cleaning specialists, but is it worth the risk?
Our best advice would be to seek professional advice from a company, like Sussex Floor Restoration, which can perform an in-person assessment, and talk you through the most suitable resolution to restore your floor to its former glory.
If you, however, choose to have your floor refinished, this will involve sanding it down and where possible repairing and removing any dents and crevices, followed by a coating of water or oil-based finish of your choice.
Ways to avoid your floor from being damaged (where possible)
The key here is to try and avoid the damages in the first place. That’s easier said than done though. However, recommendations would include:
- Add felt to the bottom of your furniture – This is known as ‘felt feet’ and is available online or in most DIY stores. This will prevent your beautiful floor from becoming scratched, worn in certain places, and even indented. This is a must for all domestic and commercial spaces. They’re quick to install and inexpensive to buy.
- Remove shoes – Many choose not to, due to the ease of wiping, sweeping and cleaning wooden floors, however, to avoid indents and scratches from appearing on your beautiful floors it is best to avoid wearing shoes where possible. This is due to not only the grit and debris that will be brought in from outside but also because of the various zips, materials and dyes on your shoes which could all leave a mark on your floors.
- Don’t vacuum – Although it may be tempting to quickly whiz your vacuum around to remove any dust and debris from the floor, sweeping and brushing would be recommended. They are a lot gentler and will prevent seals and other parts from being vacuumed up.
- Wipe pets’ feet – You may feel this is unrealistic, but we would recommend wiping your pet’s feet when coming in from outside. This could be achieved by putting a large towel by the door for them to walk onto. They will quickly get in the habit of this which will prevent debris, such as grit, stones and mud appearing throughout your home, scratching, and damaging your floor, leading to your floor needing to be repaired and refinished a lot more frequently.
- Clean up spillages straight away – As soon as you notice a spillage, it is best practice to wipe it up straight away. This will hopefully avoid the mark from being absorbed into the floor which will unfortunately look unsightly and will likely require professional treatment.
Our bespoke survey is available to all our clients
Hopefully, this has answered your question: how long should wood floors last?
We provide a repair and refinishing service to households as well as commercial buildings and begin by performing an initial survey to assess the condition of the floor, listen to your requirements to understand your wood floor restoration needs and answer any questions you may have. We will also conduct a patch test so you can get an idea of what the result will look like.
How long should wood floors last – Wooden floor restorers near me
Sussex Floor Restoration are Parkett Profi accredited floor technicians, offering a full dustless floor restoration service.
If you are based in Sussex, and have any questions or would like further advice on how to prevent your floor from becoming damaged to increase the lifespan of your floor, or perhaps would like an assessment completed on your flooring, please get in touch, by emailing info@sussexfloorrestoration.co.uk, filling out our form, or calling 01444 810505, and we can discuss the various options which may be suitable for you.
