Does the wood floor in your home appear worn? The best course of action is often refinishing rather than replacing. But people often ask what is the duration required to refinish my hardwood floors and how long does hardwood flooring survive before needing to be replaced?

These are popular questions among hardwood floor owners. There are several variables at work in the solution, but we’ll simplify it for you. To put it simply, the floor’s wood can endure a lifetime, but its lovely sheen, gloss, and polish will gradually fade. When considering professional services like Eko Flooring these complications can be postponed for a long time.

How Long Does Hardwood Flooring Last?

To help your interior keep clean and tidy, choose natural flooring options over carpet — Credit: Shutterstock

The lifespan of solid hardwood flooring is 30 to 100 years or longer. The lifespan of engineered hardwood flooring is at least 20 to 30 years. The longevity of these things gets determined by the type of wood, the product’s quality, the installation technique, the location, and whether or not it receives regular maintenance.

Solid hardwood floors should last a century or more if you pick flooring composed of stronger woods, such as oak or cherry, seal and polish it properly, and give it proper maintenance. Solid hardwoods are naturally durable and may get refinished rather than replaced, as it contributes to their extended lifespan. Scratches and dents will get hidden if you choose a distressed or hand-scraped finish, so you may accept wear rather than refinishing and prolonging its life.

Even while engineered hardwood flooring might not last as long as solid wood flooring, it can still outlast other flooring options like carpet with a significant amount. Once more, the longevity of a floor’s appearance gets determined by the kind of floor you select and the maintenance you provide. The best ways to extend the life of engineered hardwood are regular upkeep and cautious handling, as it cannot get refinished frequently.

When does my hardwood flooring need to be replaced?

Lovely kitchen with hardwood floor — Credit: Deposit Photos

There are a few situations where a complete replacement will be required, even though it gets recommended to recoat or refinish your flooring.

Structural damage

One of the vital causes of a complete replacement is a damaged subfloor. A damaged subfloor can result from several things, including termites, water leakage, and improper subfloor preparation. For this reason, it’s crucial to pay attention to the subfloor while installing new flooring. If you see any areas of your floor sinking or squeaking. Or, if you sense a musty odor, structural degeneration may occur.

Floor Movement

The flooring may expand and contract in response to variations in humidity and temperature. Flooring will expand in hot, muggy conditions and it will shrink in cold, dry weather. Wider gaps, on the other hand, might appear when flooring moves significantly and could need to get replaced.

Severe Floor Damage

Refinishing your floor can only repair so much harm. Refinishing might not be sufficient to restore your flooring to its former state if much of it starts to chip, warp, or get discolored. After around ten refinishings, older hardwood flooring may be approaching the end of its useful life. As a result, nails and grooves will start to appear.

Hardwood Floor Care and Maintenance

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To help extend the lifespan and aesthetic appeal of your floors, think about the following aspects:

Frequent Cleaning: Keep your floors clean regularly to avoid dirt and dust accumulation.

Pet Care: Defend against pet chewing and scratching.

Furniture Protection: When handling heavy furniture, take care to cushion it.

Spill Management: Clean up spills right away to avoid causing liquid damage.

Professional Installation: To guarantee that the best methods get used, choose expert installation from a company such as Eko Flooring.

Conclusion

Hardwood flooring is enticing for reasons more than looks. It’s an investment in durability, a pledge to use environmentally sustainable materials, and support for classic style. It needs maintenance and care just like any other investment. Thus, hardwood floors may endure a lifetime, but only with your assistance.

Knowing the approximate lifespan of your floors will help you make wise decisions, whether you’re arguing the benefits of hardwood flooring or looking for strategies to preserve your current floors.