However, even more important than knowing the best ways to care for your floor is knowing how not to care for your floor. Because years of proper maintenance can quickly be negated with just a few of the wrong moves. Want to learn about the top things to not do with your new flooring? Here are five ways to quickly ruin your floors.

Using Homemade Cleaning Solutions

The Internet is the greatest repository of knowledge that has ever existed. On it, you can find information on literally anything, from how to perfectly poach an egg to what color shoes look best with your navy suit. However, it’s important to recognize when you’re getting advice from someone who might not really know what they’re talking about—and on the Internet, that can be the case more often than not. While this might not be a big deal when it comes to cooking your breakfast or dressing for your cousin’s wedding (though no matter what the blogs say, you should not wear those sandals with your suit), it can spell catastrophe when it comes to maintaining your floors.

DIY bloggers love to advocate cleaning just about everything with white vinegar. And in many cases, the advice isn’t totally off base. From a clogged bathroom drain to a grease-caked baking pan, there are many things that vinegar excels at cleaning. But your floors shouldn’t be one of them! The acidity in vinegar—the very property that makes it such an effective cleaner in the first place—is strong enough to strip the protective coating off of most vinyl, laminate, and hardwood floors. This can lead to your floors looking extra dull, plus becoming even easier to stain and scratch. In most cases, there’s no fix for the damage besides completely replacing the entire floor.

Even when diluted, cleaning floors with vinegar can still be risky. Now, it’s not a guarantee that vinegar will damage your floors, but it is highly likely that it will. The best and safest way to clean your hard floors is always by choosing a manufacturer-recommended cleaning product or simply using a slightly damp mop.

Not Using Quality Furniture Pads on Chairs and Tables

It’s important to accept that no matter how tough a flooring material you choose and how good its warranty is, if your floors are actually lived on, they will eventually begin to show signs of wear. This can be especially so in busy homes with kids or pets. But while the occasional scuffs that come along with daily traffic might be a fact of life, just a little foresight can prevent many of the big scratches that become eyesores or require costly repairs. One of the best things you can do to protect your new hardwood or laminate floors is to invest in high-quality floor protectors for the legs of the tables and chairs in your home.

Vintage design is experiencing something of a renaissance these days, with mid-ccentury modern furniture leading the charge. While those robust wood chairs and tables look amazing, especially in a room finished with a fine wood floor, old furniture will often have no included floor protection or protection that has since degraded. Before you get comfortable on those vintage dining chairs, make sure they are equipped with heavy-duty felt floor protectors. These pads let your furniture slide freely on hard floors while greatly reducing the likelihood of any scratches.

And, of course, this advice applies to even brand-new furniture. Sticking protective pads onto all of the furniture in your home is a quick and inexpensive way to avoid lots of bigger issues a few years down the road.

Steam Mopping Laminate, Vinyl Plank, or Hardwood Flooring

Steam mops are tools that can work wonders in certain applications, but many users underestimate just how much damage they can do to specific floors. After all, it’s just a bit of water and some heat, right? Yes, but those two elements are not friendly to most flooring types, especially when combined and applied under pressure. Even many waterproof or water-resistant floor products can get damaged by steam mops.

Steam is made up of millions of tiny micro-droplets of water, each much smaller than a typical raindrop or drip from your faucet. In a normal situation, that steam would turn into condensation when it lands on a cool surface like your floor. But because it comes out of the steam mop under pressure, those microscopic droplets can work their way between seams that would be highly resistant to a regular household spill—and even in between the individual layers that make up a plank of wood laminate or vinyl floor. This damage can happen almost instantly, resulting in telltale bubbling around the edges of each individual plank. And it can’t be reversed or repaired, which means entire sections of your floor would need to be replaced. In short: keep the steam mops away from your laminate, wood, or LVP flooring.

Bleach-Based Cleaners

Bleach is yet another powerful cleaning solution that excels at specific tasks, but its very strength is what makes it a hazard when used on many flooring types (you might be noticing a pattern here). Roughly opposite of vinegar on the pH scale, household bleach is a highly alkaline solution, which makes it corrosive to many materials. So, similar to an acidic cleaner like vinegar, using bleach on your hardwood, vinyl, or laminate floors can remove the protective top layer and even weaken the actual flooring material itself.

There is also rarely a good reason to actually need to use bleach when cleaning your hard surface floors. Specialized floor cleaners will be just as effective as getting stubborn stains off of hardwood, laminate, or vinyl flooring, without the risk that bleach carries. And if your goal is disinfecting your floors, there are also safer store-bought options that can achieve the same goal. As always, it’s best to reach out to us at Empire® or the flooring manufacturer to find a recommended cleaning product.

Not Regularly Sweeping

We know how it is when you’re busy. Life can feel overwhelming, and you might look for any opportunity to skip a chore in order to gain some free time. Who among us hasn’t looked at our hardwood or laminate floors, seen the dust bunnies hiding in the corner, and then decided that the floor wasn’t dirty enough to warrant getting out the broom and dustpan? But just because you don’t see any large chunks of dirt or debris strewn across the floor, you shouldn’t skip the regular sweeping. Because oftentimes, it’s the smaller stuff that can be just as damaging as a stray pebble or other big bit of debris.

If you’ve ever swept even when your floors look clean, you’ve probably been surprised by the amount of fine dirt and dust that ends up in a pile. That small pile of dirt might look harmless, but depending on what’s in there, it can be bad news for your floors. Think of it like a piece of sandpaper. Each grain of sand is tiny, but it’s the sheer number of those grains and the application of a little force that makes it an effective tool for quickly removing a layer of wood. The same idea applies to the dirt on your floors—under the soft sole of a shoe or a slipper, it can become surprisingly abrasive. In high-traffic areas of the home, that can eventually add up. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should be sweeping every day. But it’s best for your floors if you do it on a regular basis.

The post Five Ways to Ruin Your New Floors appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Making a small room appear larger might sound like a job that only the TARDIS can achieve, but it’s really as simple as taking advantage of some tricks of optics and the way the human brain perceives things. Just like common optical illusions, smart design can utilize color and lines to make objects and rooms appear larger or smaller than they actually are. Taking advantage of some of these simple tricks when you get new floors installed can result in marked differences in the apparent roominess of your home.

Fewer Seams in a Room Make a Room Seem Larger

Tile and hardwood flooring (or any type of wood-look flooring) present various possibilities for using simple illusions to give the appearance of a larger room. If you’re deciding on new tile or wood flooring for a room that feels cramped, one very popular suggestion is to choose the largest size of either product that still meets your needs. So, for hardwood, consider wide-plank wood flooring, which would be any wood-look product whose individual planks are seven inches or wider. When choosing tile, something in a large format—longer than 15 inches on the long side—is recommended.

The larger and longer the tile or wood plank used in a room, the fewer seams there will be across the total floor. That lack of busyness gives the impression of a larger continuous surface, making a room feel more spacious.

Proper Hardwood Orientation Can Lengthen a Room

Another consideration is the orientation of your wood planks in relation to the dimensions of your room. By having your wood flooring installed parallel to the longest wall in a particular room, the leading lines of the floor draw your attention to that dimension, emphasizing its length.

On the flip side, it’s not recommended to use busy hardwood patterns in a smaller room. That means no complex borders or decorative inlays, and you might even want to stay away from herringbone and other elaborate hardwood floor installation styles.

Choose the Same Product for Every Room on a Floor

It’s common practice in many renovations to have the floors in every room in a home replaced all at once. If a plan like this is on your horizon, there are a few design tricks that you can use to help give the appearance of more space throughout the home.

First, consider using the same flooring in all of the rooms. This consistent look reduces the contrast between each room, creating a uniformity that gives the illusion of a larger continuous space.

Extending that same flooring to the shared hallways can further increase this illusion. And if taking this tactic, you may, in some cases, be able to omit the threshold strips that are typically used in doorways to cover the seam where two different flooring types meet. Going without a threshold will further add to the illusion of one larger continuous space.

Choose Light Colored Floors

One common idea that runs through nearly all facets of interior design is the concept that lighter colors tend to make a room feel larger. Surfaces finished in whites, yellows, and pastels reflect light and create an airiness that can increase the apparent spaciousness of a room.  While this theory is often used to determine paint shades, it’s equally applicable to the color of your floors. When redoing a small bedroom or office, consider options like a cream carpet or a light wood-look floor to keep it from feeling too cramped.

Keep the Floor Clutter to a Minimum

While this is not directly related to the specific flooring products you choose, it’s a helpful tip that can actually be achieved at no cost. Keep as much of your floor open and as visible as possible. Ever stood around in an empty apartment after you’ve packed everything up before a move? The space probably looked significantly larger than it did when it was packed with furniture, plants, and knick-knacks. Every significant item you leave resting on your floor ends up being a double-whammy. It physically reduces the available space in any room, and it also makes a room look and feel smaller. Next time you consider filling an empty space along your wall with something, just for the sake of placing something there, think about how it might make the room feel more crowded.

Choosing new flooring can be a long, stressful process. Add in some more complex design theories like the ideas listed above, and it can feel like a dark art. At Empire Today®, we understand that difficulty, and we are here to help. If you’re just starting out on your floor shopping journey, check out our Room Visualizer to get a better idea of how a particular floor will look in any room in your home. Or, simply schedule your no-obligation in-home estimate, and a flooring professional will visit you with a full assortment of products from Empire®, letting you see and feel them in the comfort of your own home.

The post How to Make a Small Room Look Bigger with Flooring appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

When Should You Refinish Hardwood Floors?

There’s no set interval that determines when hardwood floors should be refinished because that can be determined by many variables. In short, you should consider refinishing your hardwood floors when they have scratches, fading, and/or discoloration that cannot be removed by thorough cleaning or polishing. And, of course, you can always refinish perfectly good hardwood floors if you simply want to change their stain color.  

Perhaps the most  important bit of info to know is how often you will be able to refinish hardwood flooring. That will depend on the flooring’s thickness and how many times it has been refinished before. In general, your hardwood must have 1/8-inch or more material above the tongue and groove  to safely be refinished. When new, a solid hardwood plank is typically at least 3/4 inches thick and can likely be refinished at least four to six times during its total lifespan. It’s commonly accepted that you should expect to refinish a hardwood floor every seven to ten years. 

Important notes: some hardwood is only 1/4 inch thick even when new. In this case, attempting a refinish could catastrophically damage your floor. Additionally, these guidelines do not apply to engineered hardwood floors, which are constructed of a real wood layer on top of an engineered plywood core. Engineered hardwood can be refinished, but usually only once or twice in its lifetime. 

Unsure how thick your hardwood is? Consider measuring board thickness by removing an air vent in the floor to expose a side view of the board. Another option, which requires a bit more effort, is to remove a section of the baseboard where your floor meets the wall, which should also allow a similar view of the hardwood’s edge. quarter round. Usually, either of these methods will let you accurately measure hardwood thickness without tearing up the room too much. 

Problem #1: Excessive Dents and Scratches

Although it’s a tough material, a hardwood floor will still pick up its fair share of scratches and dents—especially if you have kids or pets. While many homeowners actually prefer the patina of a timeworn floor, ignoring serious scratches or wear spots can lead to real problems. Refinishing hardwood floors can be a great way to remove surface scratches that are not yet deeply embedded in the wood. 

Problem #2: Fading and Discoloration from Sunlight Exposure

Direct sunlight can also negatively impact hardwood floors. Too much exposure to UV rays and your hardwood floor can eventually fade and/or become discolored. You can try to prevent this by blocking or diffusing the sun during peak hours with blinds and shades. But if your floors are already showing significant fading, a refinish may help restore their original color. 

Problem #3: Water Damage on Hardwood

If a protective hardwood finish wears off, your floors can become susceptible to water damage. You can determine if your finish is worn by performing a water drop test. Put a small drop of water on the suspect section of your hardwood floor. If the water soaks into the wood immediately rather than resting on top, it’s likely time for a refinish. Another sign? Water-damaged hardwood often turns a shade of gray. The darker the boards become; the more damage is occurring. Once black, your floors probably need to be replaced altogether. 

Refinishing Hardwood Floors Isn’t Always Enough

Hardwood flooring is a major investment that should last for many years. Discoloration, scratches, and even signs of water damage can be reversed if hardwood floors are properly refinished. However, there are a few signs (some more obvious than others) to look for that indicate a need for a full flooring replacement, such as: 

• Boards have turned extremely dark or black compared to the original color 
• Gaps between planks, loose planks, or any other kind of significant movement 
• Deep gouges or scratches that go below the surface layer 
• Warped or buckled planks 

Many of the above scenarios can be avoided with preventative hardwood flooring care. Like many home improvement projects, being proactive before real problems occur is the best way to avoid expensive, stressful repairs. 

How to Refinish Hardwood Floors

Refinishing hardwood floors yourself can be time-consuming, costly, and frustrating. Worst of all, you risk damaging your investment and making the condition of the floor worse. While we’re not here to scare you, we do want to stress the importance of having realistic expectations before taking on a DIY project. Here’s what refinishing hardwood involves: 

• Moving all furniture, pictures, curtains, and personal items out of the room 
• Covering all air conditioning units, windows, and doorways with plastic to help contain dust. 
• Cleaning the floor thoroughly to prepare for sanding. 
• Renting a professional sander, and often a handheld detail sander for edges and corners. 
• Removing all baseboards.  
• Completing three separate passes with the floor sander: first with coarse-grit sandpaper, then medium-grit, and a final pass with fine-grit.  
• Filling in dents and scratches with wood putty or other wood repair compound. 
• Vacuuming dust and debris, and then wiping the entire floor with a tack cloth. 

And that is likely going to be a full day’s work—before you even get to restaining and resealing your hardwood floor. After those steps are completed, you can apply the wood stain as directed by the manufacturer and then finish up with a coat of polyurethane sealer.

Refinishing Hardwood is Not for Everyone

Refinishing a hardwood floor is not an impossible DIY task, by any means. But it’s also not a project for everyone, and that’s okay. You can read articles or watch how-to videos, but nothing can compare to the years of knowledge and expertise that a professional, experienced contractor will have. 

Remember, if the damage to your hardwood is extensive, unsafe, and impossible to ignore, it may be time to replace your flooring completely. Empire Today® makes the whole process easy. Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate to see high-quality hardwood samples in the natural light and context of your home.

The post Refinishing Hardwood Floors 101: When, Why, and How appeared first on Empire Today Blog.