Because of their durability and the impression that wood floors give, deciding when to replace them can be a pretty tricky decision to make. Since most wood flooring lasts for several decades, it probably is not something that most homeowners will even worry about on a regular basis. It is something that you should probably keep on an eye on, however, because new wood floors will make a world of a difference when it comes to making your home look nicer, or just different in general. Also, in some cases where the damage is pretty severe to your wood floors, it can be make your home safer and more friendly to people and animals. We at Ozburn-Hessey believe that everyone should have floors that look nice and are practical, too. With that in mind, here are some tips that might make it easier to let go.
Refinishing only goes so far
At Ozburn-Hessey, we are pretty big fans of refinishing old wood floors. There is just something about the way that the character of the wood comes out with a new surface, but how many new coats is it going to take before you realize that this isn’t the answer anymore? After a while, the character and natural beauty of the wood fades and begins to look more like something that was painted to look like wood instead of actually just being wood. Although the exact number of new surfaces is going to be different for each floor, professionals like the ones here at Ozburn-Hessey recommend between three and four coats before it is time to lay something new down.
Damaged goods
The most obvious sign is the one that most homeowners fear. If you can see the damage on the floor, then you know it’s probably time to get rid of it. Although there are some things that you can fix and extend the life of the floors, such as fixing bowed or chipped pieces, or getting an individual plank to replace a particularly offensive area, that will not always work. Especially if it is something like water damage, in which case waiting to replace it might be a little irresponsible, considering how water damage can lead to mold, which is never a good thing.
Of course, if they’re pretty old, they might be giving off a sort of musty smell thanks to the decay that has set in. If that’s something you are currently experiencing, then you need to look at getting them replaced.
Letting go of most things can be difficult, especially floors, since they form part of the look and feel of the home. It is something the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey are familiar with, which is why they work so hard finding new floors that you will love and will make your home feel like, well, home, again. Getting new wood floors is exciting and a little bit scary, so give us a call and let’s get started.