If there is one aspect of an interior that really needs to last, it is the floor. Subject to an immense amount of wear and tear, the lifespan of a wooden floor depends on numerous factors.
A few things that can influence the longevity of the flooring are the type of material used, the quality of manufacture, and how the floor is maintained. It is also worth considering that the flooring only needs to last as long as the owner plans on living in a property, which in turn can affect the amount of maintenance required.
Engineered wooden flooring
Laminate and veneer flooring is less expensive than solid wood and will generally not last as long. Longevity will depend on the number of plies used—and therefore the amount paid for the flooring—as this will make the floor more durable.
Engineered wood floors have a lifespan of between 20 and 30 years if they are properly maintained. A major factor in the deterioration of these floors is the use of harsh or homemade cleaning products and solvents. How ever before you throw any left over wood away make sure you check it to see if you can use it in your wood burning stove which you can purchase from businesses like a Stoves Northern Ireland company at sites including www.stovebay.com/stoves#.xlct9-hkhpy.
Hardwood flooring
The traditional method of wooden flooring is often regarding as the highest quality and will almost certainly last the longest. Thinner cuts and veneers will stand less re-finishing as they will eventually be sanded down until the fittings are visible. Solid sawn hardwoods and thin solid hardwoods can generally be refinished around three times by about 1/8 of the materials.
Other factors
Maintenance and material choices are going to affect the longevity of a floor, but one of the main factors will always be the usage, or the amount of traffic going over the floor over its lifetime. There are a few things that can be done to ensure a wooden floor lasts as long as possible: using recommended cleaning products, keeping the floor dry, avoiding wearing outdoor shoes indoors and keeping the doors clean. Protective slides can be used under heavy furniture and, if appropriate, a rug can be added to minimise wear on the floor.
Assuming that the floor is correctly looked after, a lifespan of anywhere from 20 to 100 years can be reasonably expected depending on the material and manufacture of the wood.
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