Engineered Hardwood Flooring in Toronto (5 Tips for Effective Winter Maintenance)

Engineered Hardwood Flooring in Toronto (5 Tips for Effective Winter Maintenance)

Winter is coming, and with it comes snow, dirt, ice, and water being dragged into your home.

If you have engineered hardwood flooring in your Toronto home, these elements can take a toll on it, and the fixes will be costly. The winter months are also typically dry, which can cause wood flooring to contract by drying out. And since holiday festivities will soon be in full swing, homeowners might find it difficult to keep their engineered hardwood flooring clean.

But, with proper care and regular maintenance, you can protect it and prevent cracks this winter.

To help, here are a few ways to provide optimal protection to your engineered hardwood floors and ensure winter passes by problem-free.

Tips to Protect Your Engineered Hardwood Flooring in Toronto This Winter

Use these helpful tips to better care for your engineered hardwood flooring this winter.

1. Maintain High Humidity Levels

Engineered hardwood flooring can contract during dry winter months. This results in the wood shrinking and gaps appearing between the floorboards. This happens because of low humidity levels.

If there is a dramatic fluctuation in humidity, the planks may split and require major repairs, which can be costly and time-consuming.

In such instances, running a humidifier is a great option to ensure engineered floorboards don’t contract. Along with controlling the environment, a humidifier can also keep your interiors at a warm and comfortable temperature. The relative humidity levels suitable for engineered hardwood are between 30% and 65%. Also, try to keep your household temperature between 60°F and 80°F.

2. Avoid Using Salt on Your Porch

While you may want to sprinkle ice on your porch, sidewalk or driveway to prevent slips and falls, don’t use it directly on your porch. Your footwear can catch these tiny particles and damage your flooring when you bring it inside. Even frequent cleaning won’t get rid of all these particles, which may damage the protective coating and top layer of the engineered hardwood flooring in your Toronto-area home.

Search for natural ways to melt the ice, like urea. Or consider investing in heated exterior door mats or in-ground ice-melting systems to ensure your porch remains safe without damaging your engineered hardwood floors.

3. Use Rugs and Mats

Besides being a great way to add seasonal colour to your interiors, rugs, mats, and runners can go a long way towards protecting your engineered hardwood floors in Toronto. They do this by trapping dirt and debris tracked inside by foot traffic and the rugged soles on winter footwear.

Use welcome mats at your entrances, runners along stairs and hallways, and area rugs in spaces with high traffic. Also, make sure the area rugs you purchase have a vinyl or rubber backing to prevent slipping. They can also trap moisture to keep it away from flooring.

4. Invest in the Right Cleaning Equipment

This tip will come in handy any time of the year. Indeed, the right cleaning equipment plays a vital role in maintaining engineered hardwood flooring in winter as you will have to mop, wipe, and sweep it regularly.

Start by investing in a high-quality mop that is suitable for engineered hardwood. That means trapping and cleaning up dust particles instead of simply pushing them around.

Also, get a soft-bristled vacuum to remove debris. You may also get dry mops, but it’s best to speak to your flooring provider for best results and to ensure your flooring doesn’t get damaged.

5. Be Careful with Holiday Decorations

While many homeowners love real Christmas trees, they can be a problem for engineered hardwood, especially white oak. This is because the material is susceptible to scratches. White oak can also expand when exposed to moisture and cup or warp over time.

In terms of a real Christmas tree, you will have to water it often, which may cause spills. It is advisable to clean these up promptly to prevent water from wreaking havoc. Furthermore, you should use tree skirts to protect white oak engineered hardwood flooring. And if you notice fallen pine needles, clean them up to prevent scratches.

Here are some more tips to protect your engineered hardwood flooring in Toronto during the holiday season.

The tips mentioned here will extend the life of the engineered hardwood flooring in your Toronto home, ensuring it remains clean throughout the winter season. Remember, maintaining engineered floors in winter is not difficult. With the right care, they will last many years while remaining beautiful. For further questions, get in touch with your engineered hardwood flooring provider.