Ed Korczak

By Ed Korczak Executive Director, National Wood Flooring Association
It is no secret hardwood floors are the most sustainable flooring option available on the market today. They are produced using a renewable resource — trees — which use a renewable source of energy, the sun, to grow. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service reports that, in the United States, more hardwood trees are planted each year than are harvested. In fact, current figures show that for every hardwood tree harvested in the United States, 1.9 is planted in its place. What’s even more compelling is that because hardwood floors last in excess of 100 years when maintained properly, the saplings planted today will be mature and ready to harvest long before they are needed.

One of the significant advantages of hardwood floors is they can be renewed time and time again, which makes them a great long-term value as well as a good environmental choice. When other flooring options start looking tired and worn, they need to be removed and replaced. This creates a real burden in our landfills as well as our checkbooks. But restoring real wood floors to their original luster is easy and affordable.

Using the pad and recoat process, a wood flooring professional first will clean the wood floors thoroughly using a professional cleaning product specifically designed for that type of wood floor. Then, the floor will be buffed lightly to abrade the surface of the floor. With the new dustless systems available to wood flooring professionals, there is minimal dust or other debris created during this process. Next, the floor will be cleaned to remove all dust and residue. Finally, a new finish will be applied to the floor, giving the existing floors new life, added protection and renewed luster. In most cases, you will be able to use your floors again within 48 hours.

Once the floors are refinished, you can maintain their renewed luster by practicing a simple maintenance program. Routine maintenance requires nothing more than sweeping with a soft bristle broom to remove dust and other debris from the floor. Dust mops also can be used, as can a vacuum with the beater bar turned off, which will remove dirt and grit from between the floorboards if needed.

To further protect your floors, place scatter rugs at all entrances to trap any dirt or debris being carried indoors from outside that could scratch the floors. Avoid using scatter rugs with rubber backs because these can discolor the floor.

Want to know more about the environmental benefits of wood floors? Visit the NWFA’s website at woodfloors.org.