Lovely floors uplift the decor and the elegance of a house. Most people love hardwood flooring because they are classy and elegant. These people end up spending a ton of money on the flooring because hardwood is very expensive.
If a house has a hardwood floor, the changes are that the flooring will cost more than the wall paints and other decorative items put together. Hence, most people will not mind investing in maintaining the beauty of the floor for years. However, most home buyers are unaware of the dangers that these floors might face over the years.
Pet nails, accidental falls and the room’s furniture are all potential threats to the lovely wood. Hardwood gets scratched easily; moreover, moving furniture might deposit dirt and dust particles on the joints of wooden panels, making them difficult to get rid of. Thus, if someone is looking for ways and means to protect their wooden floors from furniture scratches, they can find solutions here that are easy to implement.
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Why Does Hardwood Need Protection?
They Are Expensive
Oak, Mahogany, Birch etc., are rare, and hence they are difficult to procure. Moreover, with increasing environmental norms, procurement has become extremely difficult for the industry. Thus, their overall supply has been decreasing at a rapid pace. Despite the fall in supply, the demand seems to have been intact. In fact, the demand has only increased with time. In the present times, these hardwoods and objects made with them have become status symbols. Hence they can easily burn a hole in anybody’s pocket.
They Get Damaged Easily
Apart from being expensive, they also need protection because they are prone to damage. Rust and scratches are long-term problems and cost a lot of money to get rid of.
Ways In Which Hardwood Floors Can Be Protected From Furniture
Making Wise Use Of Rugs And Carpets
Placing rugs and carpets under the legs and bases of furniture can act as a protective covering. Taking proper measurements can be of great help if a big sofa or a huge bed is to be placed over a rug or a carpet. Proper measurements ensure that the mat does not look like a misfit. Lovely carpets that go with the entire room’s decor can look lovely apart from serving a protective function.
Buying Pads And Gliders
Pads and gliders serve similar functions; they cover the lower surface of chairs, sofas etc. People need to be careful when choosing a pad or a glider. Pads that are sold commercially are usually made of felt. Felt creates a smooth surface and prevents abrasions. Most pads and gliders come with an adhesive end, which can be easily attached to the lower end of the furniture.
Scotch felt pads come in pairs of five and usually last long. They are thick; hence they offer a good level of protection to the floor. However, most adhesives used are not very strong and will require frequent replacements. Another option is to go for a slip instead of an adhesive. Slips fit on the chairs and sofa legs like a sock. However, they might look a little out of place with the decor, but they last longer than adhesives.
The third option is screwing the pad onto the legs of chairs and beds. Using screws is a more permanent option than adhesives; also, they do not interfere much with the room’s overall looks. However, while screwing the pad, care should be taken to insert the pad completely. If the screwing is not proper, the pad will not sit properly, and it may end up doing more harm than good.
Making Do Your Own (DIY) Gliders
Making gliders is also an option if people like to get things done themselves instead of purchasing them from the market. A pair of scissors, measuring tape, old rugs, towels and a little assistance in taking measurements can do the job. With DIY stuff, the problem is making identical items in bulk quantities. Hand-made products do not look identical to machine-made ones; hence that might also spoil the house’s overall look.
Installing Wheels On Furniture
Tables or chairs that have wheels that can be locked are a good option. The wheels can be put to use when the table or chair needs to be moved around. When the table reaches its destination, the wheels can be locked to keep it steady. However, not all furniture can be fitted with wheels. Also, the wheels should be made of rubber, not metal like iron or aluminum. Metal wheels can help cause abrasion on floors; thus, they are best avoided.
Synthetic rubber wheels are those that are made of neoprene rubber and are the best. These synthetic rubbers are flexible and can tolerate significant wear and tear. Apart from synthetic rubber, plastic or nylon-based wheels can also be used. However, most people prefer rubber wheels because they are very convenient to use.
Check Furniture From Time To Time
When inspecting the legs of old chairs, table cracks and rough edges can be filled or smoothened. Simple sandpaper can help smoothen surfaces easily. Also, a coat of paint or varnish fills in rough edges and creates a smooth finish.
Putting Effort
Putting effort while changing the position of furniture can prevent scratches on hardwood floors. If the furniture is lifted instead of being dragged, then the changes of abrasive damage get reduced to a great extent. Most furniture is heavy, and physically lifting them might not be a feasible option. For lightweight items lifting instead of dragging can be considered.
Conclusion
Getting hardwood flooring is expensive but maintaining them is equally difficult. Most people are not cognisant of the fact that wooden floorings are very sensitive to scratches; hence they do not take necessary precautions in time. Once the damage is done, reversing it is pretty challenging. Given the expenses involved, it would be wise to protect hardwood floors from household furniture before it is too late.