Hard Maple Wood Floor
Hard Maple is the state tree of Wisconsin, New York, West Virginia and Vermont. American crafters have been a fan of maple since early Colonial days. Until the turn of the century, women’s heels were made of this durable wood. Hard Maple is the standard wood used for cutting boards (kitchenware in general) because it holds up well and imparts no taste to food. It is also used for furniture, flooring, toys and table tops. The sapwood is creamy white with a slight reddish brown tinge, and the heartwood varies from light to dark reddish brown. This high quality grade lumber is strong, hard, and heavy with a high wear- resistance and good steam-bending properties. This wood has a closed, subdued grain and a uniform texture. This hardwood is smoother looking since it has less texture then your common oak wood. Maple floors are extremely durable and available in a variety of colors and grades Maple is one of the most popular types of flooring you can have for your home. It has an unmatched durability and finishing touch.
How is your hardwood floor supposed to look?
Appearance: The sapwood of sugar maple is a lovely creamy white, while the heartwood ranges from creamy white to light reddish brown.
Grain: Hard Maple wood has a closed uniform grain.
Properties: This wood type is stiff, dense, strong and tough.
General Guidelines to Keep Your Hardwood Flooring in Great Shape
Keeping your hardwood floors looking great is essential since hardwood is one of the most expensive floor types around. Simple steps can prolong the life of your hardwood floor, regardless of the type you may have. Here are some tricks that will keep your hardwood floor looking new:
- Close curtains and blinds- UV rays from sunlight can fade colors on floor and sometimes cause discoloration
- Place floor protectors under furniture
- Clean, wipe or blot spills immediately to help prevent stains.
- Place doormats at every door- this helps to trap dirt at the doorway instead of transferring it to the floor inside the home. The coco mat, featured on QVC, traps all types of particles such as dust, mud, snow and can be used for the front door, patio or even the garage.
- Take care when moving heavy objects like furniture and equipment- utilize furniture coaters to transport heavy objects across floors.
- Dust and vacuum floors regularly to maximize beauty and decrease buildup of debris
- Exercise caution when using bleaches, mildew removers, oven cleaners, drain openers and plant food as these contain strong chemicals that can discolor floors.
- Always follow your manufacturer’s guidelines on products that are safe for your hardwood floor type.
- Rearrange area rugs occasionally as they block sunlight causing a discolored appearance under the rug.
- Avoid exposure to water on hardwoods.
- Maintain normal humidity of 40-60% throughout all seasons of the year to reduce the natural expansion and contraction process typically found in hardwoods. Humidity levels can be maintained with air conditioners, humidifiers, de-humidifiers or with a heating system.
- Keep pets nails trimmed and filed and remove stiletto style heels to minimize scratches.
- Never clean hardwood floors with steel wools or scouring powders as these can cause damage.
|