Do I Need to Winterize my Floors?

As the leaves begin to change, and the temperatures become a little less—well, temperamental—fall slowly begins to move into the area. While many of us are busy enjoying the gentle temperatures, don’t forget what comes after, which is the winter. Though none of us like to think about it, fall does mean that it’s time to start preparing your home for snow, ice, or lower temperatures, in general.

But where does this leave your flooring? When people think about winterization, most people think of their home’s exteriors and their plumbing systems, but does your flooring need a bit of TLC to bunker down before the colder months?

While the nuances of the answer can vary depending on what flooring type you have, E Hardwoods & Flooring, where you can buy hardwood flooring online, is here with some general winterization guidelines below.

Discover how to Bolster Your Flooring’s Winter-Weather Defenses

The short answer to the “should I winterize” question:” yes, all flooring—vinyl flooring, engineered hardwood flooring, and hardwood flooring alike—can benefit from a little pre-winter prep. This prep is best done before the first frost or snowfall so that you can thoroughly think through and plan your defensive tactics before the weather wages war on your floor.

When it comes to best protecting and working with specific flooring types, though, these tactics must be tailored to your needs.

• For solid prefinished hardwood flooring: break out the rugs | Slush tracked in from outside, and harsh de-icing products all mean that your hardwood can have a hard time come winter. Decorate with welcome mats and consider runner rugs if people must walk down a hallway to remove their slushy boots.
• For vinyl flooring: consider options for moisture management | Vinyl flooring doesn’t absorb water—that’s what makes it so tough against it! Unfortunately, though, the standing water tracked in and left on top of vinyl flooring can lead to some nasty slips and falls. Plan ahead this year and figure out where you can keep your wet winter boots so nobody takes a tumble.
• For engineered hardwood flooring: watch your footwear | Since this flooring cannot be refinished like solid hardwood flooring, dents and dings are a lot harder to deal with. Make a plan now regarding how your family will manage sometimes-spiked winter boots; you’ll thank yourself later.

Contact E Hardwoods & Flooring for Top-Notch Brands and Materials

Are you looking to replace your floors before it gets cold? We’re here to help. Browse our immense online selection of flooring styles here, or contact us with any questions.