Summer Sunlight

The sunlight streaming through the windows onto your wood floors may look gorgeous, but that doesn’t mean damage isn’t being done. Summer is the time of year when the sun’s rays are most intense and direct, and the ultraviolet light can break down chemicals in the wood, causing a fading effect—similar to the way the sun “bleaches” your hair. Over time, you may begin to notice the wood by your windows growing lighter, causing the overall look of your floors to be uneven and blotchy.

High Humidity

The increase in humidity during the summer months is indirectly related to the sunshine, but no less dangerous to your floors. Warm air can hold more moisture than cold air can. If the humidity in your home is not properly regulated, the wood planks will begin to absorb the moisture and expand, sometimes causing warping and cupping. This effect often corrects itself when humidity returns to normal levels, but in extreme cases it can permanently damage your wood planks.

Tips to Protect Your Hardwood Floors

The good news is by taking a few precautionary measures, you can safeguard your floors through the summer months so you don’t have to think about them anymore. Here are some tips to help.

• Keep the drapes or blinds closed during periods of direct sunlight. By far, this is the easiest way to reduce sunlight exposure.
• Install “low-e” windows. This is a more expensive option, but if you prefer keeping your drapes or blinds open, low-e windows will filter out harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays from the sun, making the sunlight safer for your floors.
• Rotate furnishings. Sometimes thoughtfully arranged furniture or a strategically placed rug can cover your wood floors in the parts of the room that get exposed to sunlight.
• Keep the A/C running. Cooler air naturally holds less humidity.
• Buy one or more dehumidifiers for the home. Optimal humidity levels inside the home should be between 35-45 percent.

While the summer heat and humidity have the potential to wreak havoc on your floors, it doesn’t have to be a point of panic. Just take common-sense steps to protect your floors like the tips we mentioned above, and you can enjoy a worry-free summer focused on the things you love. If your floors experience damage, we’re here to help. For a free estimate on wood flooring installation or repair in Jenks, Glenpool, Tulsa, Sand Springs and Broken Arrow, give Renaissance Hardwood Floors a call at 918-298-4477.

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The answer is yes, and yes.

Yes, they are a good investment in that when you take care of them, your hardwood floors can last the life of your home—however long you live there, and for generations of future owners of that home.

And yes, they will also increase your home’s value—not just in actual dollars, but in a variety of other ways. Let’s explore some of these.

Ease of Sale

Hardwood floors are one of the most desirable home traits among house hunters. Real estate agents across the board report that it’s much easier to sell a home with hardwood flooring than with carpeting, for example. And according to data compiled by USA Today, 54 percent of home buyers are willing to spend more money on a home with wood floors. It’s why most builders and developers these days install hardwood flooring by default.

Timeless, Broad Appeal

Architectural styles have changed a lot over the past decades and centuries, but one thing holds true: hardwood floors look good in all of them. America is a young country, but some homes in Europe are more than 500 years old, and a few still have their original wood floors. Wood carries a broad appeal with almost every aesthetic, every personality type and every age bracket. All this to say—wood flooring never goes out of style.

Increased Dollar Values

Does a wood floor give you a good return on your investment? The estimates vary, but overall the numbers are good. While it might not increase your selling price as much as a full kitchen remodel, it can increase your home’s value by as much as 2.5 percent, according to Realtor.com. That might not sound like much, but in actual dollars it really adds up. (For example, in a home worth $400,000, a 2.5 percent increase means an extra $10,000!)

Of course, most of us choose hardwood floors not because of the added value, but because we love them and we want them in our home. However, if you ever need to sell your castle, it’s still good to know a good hardwood flooring installation will always be a good investment. For quality wood flooring in Tulsa, Jenks, Broken Arrow, Glenpool, Sand Springs and the rest of Green Country, give Renaissance a call at 918-298-4477.

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