It’s not surprising that hardwoods are a popular choice for a lot of businesses and commercial spaces. Hardwoods enhance an office space by offering a naturally warm but upscale feel. In addition, hardwood floors are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective choice. When installed correctly and cared for properly, they can last for the life of the business.
Unlike residential spaces, hardwood flooring in commercial spaces can be subject to a lot of foot traffic. But with the right products and a good cleaning and care schedule, you can keep your commercial hardwood floors looking great without a hefty financial burden.
Proper installation of unfinished hardwoods includes sanding to get the floors flat and to prepare them for staining and/or finishing. Prefinished floors are install already coated with a polyurethane finish. Both kinds can be refinished as needed to repair worn or damaged areas. Make sure the floors are finished with a high quality water-based finishing compound that doesn’t off-gas harmful fumes. These low VOC (volatile organic compound) sealers offer greater durability and dry much faster.
Using the wrong products to clean a hardwood floor can do more damage than simply not cleaning it at all. Never use water, all-purpose cleaners, oil soaps, or harsh chemicals to clean hardwoods. Instead, follow this simple method for daily cleaning:
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- Vacuum or sweep to remove debris and grit.
- Use a hardwood floor cleaner designed for polyurethane-finished hardwoods and a small, microfiber or terrycloth mop for small areas or a commercial mop, buffer or auto scrubber for larger areas.
You can also be proactive in preventing damage to commercial hardwoods by:
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- Using protective felt pads on the feet of furniture and fixtures. A very common source of deep scratching of hardwood floors in commercial environments is from dragging fixtures across the floor. Protective felt pads should prevent this unnecessary damage.
- Because excessive swings in humidity levels will cause hardwood floors to swell, shrink, cup, crack and show gaps between boards, keep the humidity level within a constant, 5 -10 point range.
No matter what kind of flooring your customers are looking for, we can help. We only carry the best products available and are always here to help you find just what you need. Give us a call to find out more about the products we stock.
