Your Top Flooring Questions Answered
When you’re choosing the right flooring for your home, the options and considerations can feel overwhelming. Texas Hardwood Flooring has helped hundreds of homeowners navigate these decisions, and we’ve noticed a few questions come up time and time again. Here are the top flooring questions answered—straight from the experts!
1. What’s the best type of hardwood flooring for Texas homes? 🌳
Solid hardwood is a timeless choice for Texas homes, especially when properly installed and sealed. But engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) have become popular options, too. The best type depends on your home’s foundation, room usage, and aesthetic preferences.
2. Can you install hardwood over concrete? 🧱
Yes—but it requires a specific installation process. For homes with concrete slab foundations, the slab must be inspected and tested to ensure the moisture content is less than 4%. From there, our team installs a 6-mil poly sheet as a moisture barrier, anchors plywood into the slab, adds a layer of roofing felt, and then installs the hardwood.
Depending on the project, the hardwood can be nailed down, which involves anchoring to a subfloor (usually plywood), or it can be glued down using special adhesive. A glue-down installation will also require additional prep work like leveling the concrete to ensure a strong, lasting bond.
3. How do I protect my floors from humidity? 💧
Texas weather can swing from dry to humid quickly. That’s why it’s important to keep indoor humidity between 30% and 50%, and your A/C temperature between 65°F and 75°F. Many modern air conditioning units come with humidity control settings to help maintain a stable environment for your floors. Leave air conditioning/heating unit on when traveling, even if at a higher or lower temperature than normal.
4. When should I refinish my hardwood floors? 🛠️
Hardwood floors can last a lifetime when properly maintained, but if you notice scratches from furniture or pets, discoloration from sun exposure, or dullness from wear and tear, it may be time to refinish. A professional can assess whether sanding and resealing will restore the floor or if deeper repair is needed.
5. What are the signs of water damage on floors? 🚱
Water damage often appears as buckling, cupping, discoloration, or delamination. It can be caused by leaks from dishwashers, AC units, or even ground water seeping in. If you notice any of these signs, contact a flooring specialist to test for moisture and determine the extent of the damage.
6. What kind of maintenance do hardwood floors need? 🧹
Routine sweeping and using a damp warm cloth for cleaning will help keep your hardwood in top shape. Avoid soaking the surface or using any harsh chemicals, as these can damage the sealer or polyurethane finish. Using felt pads under furniture and maintaining a stable indoor climate will also prevent scratches and expansion or contraction issues.
Conclusion ✅
Hardwood floors are an investment—and like any investment, it pays to be informed. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Texas Hardwood Flooring. Our team is here to help you choose, install, and care for flooring that will last for years.
