How to Choose a Floor and Keep it Looking Great

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">How to Choose a Floor and Keep it Looking Great</font></h2><p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">Most homeowners know by now that hardwood flooring is a great way to give your home a brand new look. The chic, elegant looks of a properly installed hardwood floor is worth the renovation. Of course, manufacturers know this too and have flooded the market with options, colors, types and new methods for getting hardwood into your home.</span></p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Because of the amount of choices available, you are able to choose from amongst a large gradient of different colors. Everything from blonde or light colored woods to almost black, dark colored woods are available. It is wise to consider the properties of the room you are thinking of redoing before choosing a wood floor. What kind of lighting is in the room? What kind of furniture will you have in the area? Are you going to put in any area rugs or just have the bare floor? These are all great questions to ask yourself before getting started.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Although design is important, durability should be an equal part of your decision. Ask your flooring contractor or hardwood distributor about how different materials wear. Some woods and laminate materials will wear differently than others, and the specific conditions in your area and home will affect the life of the wood.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Another thing to consider is care. Wood floors require that you take special steps to care for the wood. You must protect your investment from moisture. Water causes wood to rot, and if it is allowed to soak into the flooboards it can rot from the inside out, causing odor and weakening the overall structure. In general, hardwood floors are really durable, especially when compared to other options, but it must be protected from moisture using proper sealants, wax, cleaning products.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Other than moisture, there are other small things you can to keep your floor looking great. To help keep your floors clean, make sure to place rugs at the entrances to your home. Direct can get ground into the floor if stays around too long, resulting in scratches or dulling of the surface.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/12a.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/12a.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">When cleaning the floor, first vacuum the floor with a soft-brush attachment, or use a soft-broom to sweep up any large dirt particles. Next, use a mop on the floor. Make sure to ring the mop to the point where it is almost dry. This will help reserve your floor’s luster. Ask your contractor or the store where you buy your flooring for a recommendation on cleaning products. There are also cleaning services in major cities who specialize in hardwood floor care, if you would prefer to have a professional help care for your floor.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">A properly installed and cared-for floor will provide years of great looks and durable flooring for your home. If you follow the proper procedures for picking and installing your new flooring, you will find that not only will you get great pleasure from the look and feel of your new floor, but if you should sell your home, you will know you are giving the new owners a great look with long-lasting elegance.</p>   <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>About the Author</strong></p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Footprints Floors, a <a href="http://www.footprintsfloors.com" target="_blank">Denver hardwood flooring</a> company focused on ethical business and hard work, has provided this information. Visit them online at <a href="http://www.footprintsfloors.com" target="_blank">http://www.footprintsfloors.com</a> </p>   <p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/how-to-choose-a-floor-and-keep-it-looking-great-1516877.html" target="_blank">http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/how-to-choose-a-floor-and-keep-it-looking-great-1516877.html</a> </span></p></span>