Wood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but they can be prone to discoloration over time. To keep your floors looking like new, there are a few steps you can take to prevent discoloration. One of the best ways to protect your wood floors from fading is to use window treatments. Curtains, blinds, and shutters are all great options for blocking out the sun's harmful rays and keeping your floors looking vibrant.
If you're not sure which type of window treatment is best for your home, it's best to consult a professional. It's also important to understand that all woods will change color over time, but some more drastically than others. Woods like American cherry, Brazilian cherry (jatoba), Douglas fir, and purple heart will darken with age, while woods like black walnut and cork will lighten. Not all boards will change color to the same extent, so it's important to be aware of this when selecting your flooring.
If you do find yourself with dark water stains on your hardwood floors, there are a few ways you can remove them. You can dip a small brush (like a toothbrush) in a small amount of bleach and rub it on the stain. Do a second round after several hours and let the area rest until the next day. Discoloration can also be caused by reactions with the finish of the wood floor, such as spills of household chemicals or cleaning products like nail polish remover, ammonia, chlorine, mustard, iodine, oil, milk, ethyl alcohol, acetic acid, etc.
Sticker stains are caused by natural chemicals present in the wood during the drying process. The method you use to remove water stains from wood will depend on whether the floor is treated with wax or a penetrating dye, or if the floor has a surface finish. If it has a surface finish, you'll need to use a different method than if it has wax or penetrating finishes. It's also possible that the filler for wood in an area of the floor may be different from the general color tone of the floor.
This is why it's important to consult a professional when selecting your flooring options. Zothex Flooring offers hardwood products made from different species so you can find the perfect fit for your home. Once you've finished staining and the floor is completely dry, apply a top coat with wax, wood varnish or lacquer. If floors are exposed to water for an extended period of time, however, they may begin to warp and change color.
