Our top 10 list of quick tips is a great place to begin when it comes to Hardwood Floors. Keep all of these tips in mind when it comes to your floors!

1) Learn as much as you can about hardwood floors BEFORE you buy prefinished or unfinished hardwood at a show room.

2) When hiring a hardwood flooring contractor, take the time to get 3 quotes (on the same quality of work) and check references and former job sites if possible.

3) Clean finished floors with as little water as possible. A diluted neutral PH cleaner like WOOD WASH or TOP SHEEN sprayed on and buffed off works best.

4) You can determine the remaining thickness of an old strip floor by looking at it's edge at the heating grate OR look at the top surface and notice if there are nail heads showing or broken top grooves, leaving gaps between the boards.

5) Kitchens are subject to lots of spilled water, a dubious place for a hardwood floor. Clean up water immediately.

6) Laquer sealer and Shellac are not good base coats for polyurethane.

7) Use 3 coats of polyurethane (oil) or 3 of laquer finish, but at least 4 coats or water based finish. Kitchens and high use areas need one extra coat beyond that..

8) Repairing (cutting out) urine stained wood is often easier than bleaching and refinishing it.

9) Keep humidity levels as close to 45-55% relative humidity. At best, avoid extreme humidity changes (30% or more).

10) Take your outside shoes off to preserve a nicely finished hardwood floor.