How much will cost to replace a Solid wood Floor?
As a rough guide if you were to replace a solid wood floor of approximately 100 square meters it would cost you about £80 per square meter, this includes the initial lifting of your old floor and the refitting of your new floor, so that’s a total of £8,000.
This price doesn’t take into account any loss of business as your business may have to close for a few days.
How much will cost to Protect and Maintain my Floor?
As you can imagine this will depend on the type of abuse your floor is subjected to, but as an example let’s take the above floor:
The Office floor may need a strip and Polish twice a year @ approximately £180 each time, that’s a total of £360. If required the Office may also want the floor buffed with maintainer once per month, this would cost approximately £20 per month.
The very busy Pub floor may need a Strip and Polish at least 4 times per year @ approximately £180 each time, that’s a total of £720. To maintain this floor you will need to buff it with maintainer at least once per week; this would cost approximately £20 per week.
All things considered you have to admit that there is a significant saving to be made by protecting and maintaining your floor.
It’s important to know how to prevent damage to your solid hardwood floors.
Prevent damage to your hardwood floors by proper cleaning
DIRT and GRIT: Dirt, grit and sand are your hardwood floors worst enemies.
They act like sandpaper on the finish, causing scratches, dents and dulling. Place floor mats at entrances to trap dirt and prevent damage.
WATER AND OTHER SPILLS: Standing water can warp a poorly finished hardwood floor and can damage the finish. Simply wipe up all spills as they happen.
HARD CLEANERS: Avoid oil soaps. They can build up and create problems when it’s time to put a maintenance coat on the floor. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made specifically for wood floors are recommended.
FURNITURE: Lift the furniture to move it – avoid dragging. Felt contacts under the legs will help prevent scratches.
DENTS: Vacuum with a brush attachment – don’t use vacuums with beater bars.
SUN: Direct sun can discolour your hardwood floor. Close curtains and blinds or add sheer drapes to protect from the sun’s intense UV rays.
Regular cleaning Care
SWEEP: Use a soft fine bristled brush.
VACUUM: Tub vacuums with floor attachments are the surest way to get rid of all the dirt and dust.
Damp Mopping
Some professionals recommend that you damp mop your hardwood floor and others cringe at the suggestion. Just remember, if your floor’s finish is in good shape and mopping is done correctly, the water won’t penetrate even the oil and wax finishes. You’re cleaning the finish, not the wood, so don’t use water if the finish is in poor shape.
Damp Mopping: This is the fastest and best way to deep-clean solid hardwood floors. Depending on how much use your floor gets, you may have change the water a few times if the floor is very dirty. Use a neutral pH wood cleaner and water.
Heavy-Duty Mopping: If floors are properly sealed, the little extra water and cleaner required will not injure your hardwood floor, but use common sense.
Vinegar: Often prescribed to clean hardwood floors — does nothing for removing grease and soil.
