How Long do Hardwood Floors Last?

Hardwood flooring is known for lasting a lifetime, but how long do hardwood floors really last? Well, that depends. In ideal conditions, hardwood flooring really can last a lifetime of about 20-30 years. However, there are other conditions that can cause the lifespan hardwood floors to be limited. These conditions include:

• If you have pets and/or kids. Pets, such as dogs and cats, and kids while cute can be damaging to your floors. Nails and toys can scrape on floors and spills and accidents are more likely to occur, taking years off your floor’s life. To increase your hardwood floor’s lifespan in this condition, consider regularly trimming your pets nails, watching for spills and accidents, and keeping all toys on a play mat or rug. 
• If you live in a humid environment. Water is wood’s natural enemy, so it would make sense that wood floors wouldn’t last as long in a wet environment as they would in a dry environment. Areas such as Florida, can get really humid year-round and pose an increased risk in mold and deterioration of your hardwood flooring. If you live in an area such as this, consider keeping doors and windows properly insulated and shut throughout the year and invest in a dehumidifier to help pull some water out of the air. 
• If your floors were not properly installed. Whether you hired a professional or did it yourself, hardwood floors that are not properly installed, will have issues later. This could include nails coming loose, floor boards folding or splitting, or even cracking. When installing new floors, be sure to hire a credible professional. 
• If your home’s foundation is not settled and is shifting. New-build homes are known for foundation issues. Over time, the foundation your home was built on settles and shifts and this can wreak havoc on your hardwood floors. If you live in a newer home, be sure your hardwood flooring was installed with a settling foundation in mind, as there are ways to set your flooring up for success as your foundation shifts. Also, have the floorboards installed perpendicular to the floor joists. This will help reduce the chance of the planks separating or buckling. 
• If you don’t take proper care of your floors. This condition is especially important because it is the easiest to combat, yet the most overlooked. Continue to care for your hardwood floors over time, by properly cleaning, polishing and protecting regularly. This easy routine maintenance can help keep your hardwood floors looking and feeling new for decades to come. 

Taking proper care for your hardwood floors isn’t always easy, but it keeps your investment well protected. Hardwood flooring is one of the more expensive types of flooring on the market, but it can be one of the best investments in flooring for your home. Not only are they long-lasting, but also a classic home addition that never goes out of style. To learn more about hardwood flooring and its durability, talk to a Zack Hardwood Flooring representative, today.