How to care for your solid hardwood floors in Southern Marina Residences
February 25, 2021 | Living |
Each unit is fitted with premium quality solid hardwood floors that can last up to 100 years with the proper tender loving care.
Every detail of Southern Marina Residences was thoughtfully-designed with luxury and elegance in mind, with top-grade finishes and fittings. One of the most important, yet overlooked aspects of a premium-quality home is the type of flooring used.
To ensure residents can enjoy luxurious world-class living, every unit is fitted with solid timber flooring. Beyond its natural beauty, hardwood floors add a classic, timeless appeal to every home which never goes out of style.
Hardwood floors is extremely durable as they do not scratch or dent easily. It can be refinished several times over its lifetime to maintain its beauty instead of needing to be replaced. No other flooring can easily transform the look and feel of your home by playing around with different wood stains.
Unlike carpet, solid hardwood floors do not trap dust, animal dander, pollen or other common allergens. Thus making them easy to clean as they are stain-resistant and less likely to stir up allergies.
Here’s our top tips to ensure your hardwood floors remain in pristine condition for generations to come!
Dos
Like any other flooring, sweep or vacuum your floors regularly to avoid build up of dust and dirt. When mopping, use a microfiber mop as it has a soft texture that won’t damage the wood and let it air-dry quickly. Hardwood floors are extremely easy to keep clean as they do not stain easily.
Our first expert tip: allow air ventilation at all times! Avoid leaving rooms closed for long periods as extremes in humidity can contribute to possible cupping of floor boards, where boards may lift and warp. Not only that, high humidity can also encourage mold growth.
Do place rugs or mats at bathroom entrances to reduce the risk of puddles of water collecting at the same spot repeatedly which may cause water damage.
Like any flooring, solid hardwood floors are susceptible to fading over a long period of time if they are directly exposed to sunlight and UV rays. This is especially important in Malaysia’s sunny and hot climate.
If you have rugs around your home, your floors may eventually develop noticeable spots of darker or lighter wood due to sun exposure. As such, remember to move your rug or furniture regularly to graduate the colour difference!
Filtering sunlight through curtains, blinds or UV treated windows or glass doors is an effective way to slow down any colour changes, control the gap widths between boards and reduce the direct heat from the sun.
Another great way to maintain your floors is to recoat at least once every few years to keep the hardwood floors in its best condition. Remember to opt for a water-based coating, as wax finishes can complicate future recoating.
Don’ts
Humidity is the enemy of all hardwood floors. We highly recommend you avoid using a steamer or extremely wet mop as too much moisture may permanently damage the floor. If you spill some water on your floors, soak up the water spill immediately and let it air-dry.
Avoid using rugs that have solid rubber or vinyl backings that could trap moisture underneath. Leaving damp or wet hardwood for extended periods of time can cause permanent water damage to your floors.
When this occurs, you may need to hire a professional to fix the damage. So it’s best to take all the precautions to avoid costly mishaps like these!
Do not cover floor for too long, such as with a plastic tarp or other non-breathable materials. This layer prevent moisture from building up, potentially causing irreversible damage to your floors.
Another expert tip: remember to read the labels on your floor cleaners! Do not use abrasive cleaning products that contain alkaline or ammonia. These products can tarnish the glossiness of your hardwood floors or in worse case scenarios, cause scratches.
Always make sure any floor cleaner you use is gentle and safe for hardwood floors.
While this may seem like a lot of work, keep in mind your hardwood floors can last for a very long time if properly cared for. This means you’ll be able to pass down your unit for generations to come and adds value to your home as solid hardwood floors are highly sought after by buyers.
Beyond being visually appealing to look at glossy, well-maintained floors throughout your unit can ensure your home continues to offer all the modern luxuries of serene waterfront living.