Discolored wooden floors? The main causes and possible solutions
Wooden floors are a very popular furnishing choice, especially because wood makes a home feel "warmer" and comes in a myriad of types and colors. Being a natural material, however, wood is prone to change over time: for example, the discoloration of wooden floors is something most homeowners will need to deal with at some stage.
The bad news is that it is not possible to prevent a wooden floor from becoming discolored due to use (and other factors); the good news is that you can delay the onset of this discoloring significantly - if you know how!
Below, we explain the main causes for the discoloration of wooden floors and how to deal with this:
1. Time and wear
Time is the main "enemy" of wooden floors and the wood will inevitably get discolored over time. That said, you can slow this process down with regular, proper maintenance.
Wear and tear will also discolor a wooden floor: in a room with high foot traffic will also see the wood becoming discolored over time.
Maintain your wooden floor by sealing it every 2-3 years (using the appropriate wood sealer); this seal will help delay the onset of any discoloration due to use/time factors.
If the wood is already discolored, you can sand it and then apply new coats of varnish and sealant. This operation should ideally be carried out by a professional in order to avoid damaging the floor.
2. Sunlight
Sunlight is the next significant cause of discoloration of wooden floors and you can slow down this process by protecting the wood from the sun's UV rays.
Move your furniture and carpets around regularly - once every 3-4 months is ideal - in order to expose different areas of the flooring to the sun's rays to prevent localized discoloration.
You can also slow down the discoloration of your wooden floors by preventing the sun's rays from reaching them in the first place. How can this be done? Use curtains on your windows and decorate your rooms with plants that will provide protective shade. Additionally, you can also apply an anti-UV film to the windows of your home.
3. Humidity and dirt
Humidity and dirt also cause wooden floors to become discolored over time. Given this, ensure you clean your floors daily, promptly removing any dirt and stains that get onto them.
High levels of humidity can cause damage to the entire structure of your home, including your wooden floors (and even if they are perfectly sealed). Use a dehumidifier if the environmental humidity exceeds 65% and immediately wipe up any liquid spills that get onto the wood. Clean/wipe down the floors with a damp microfiber cloth and cleaning products specially formulated for wooden floors.
Adopt all these measures and your wooden floors will not show any significant discoloration for years to come.
