Don't Let Winter Ruin Your Floors

Don't Let Winter Ruin Your Floors (or Your Wallet)

Ontario winters are beautiful, but they can be tough on your floors. Between snow, ice, salt, and constant temperature changes, it doesn’t take long for your flooring to start showing signs of wear. The good news is there are some simple steps you can take to keep your floors looking their best, even through the coldest months.

To protect your floors when your not in the cottage during the winter months it is recommended to deep clean before closing up, Sweep (remove any dust, sand or debris), Vacuum and damp mop with your floor specific cleaner; no abrasive chemicals The most important thing of all is to maintain a stable level of humidity inside the home or cottage during the winter months, keep reading to find out the best humidity levels for each type of floor.

When living in your cottage or full-time home during the winter months, the first and most important step is to have good entryway mats. A sturdy outdoor mat will help scrape off most of the snow, ice, and salt before it even comes inside, and an absorbent indoor mat will catch whatever’s left, but be sure to lift the mat up to dry it overnight. Or have a secondary mat on hand that you can change out. This is important so the flooring does not absorb the moisture. This one small detail can go a long way in protecting your floors from water damage and scratches.

Another tip is to make a habit of wiping up any water or slush right away. Melted snow that sits on your floors, especially hardwood or laminate, can lead to staining, warping, or swelling over time. Keep a towel handy by the door so it’s easy to clean up messes as soon as they happen.

If you have pets, take a moment to wipe their paws before they run through the house. Salt and sand can scratch your flooring, and wet paws can leave marks behind. Your floors (and your pets) will thank you.

Maintaining a consistent indoor humidity level makes a big difference for hardwood floors, in particular, the best humidity level for:

• Solid hardwood is between 35-55% RH
• Engineered hardwood 35-55% RH
• Laminate flooring 30–50% RH
• Vinyl Flooring 30–60% RH

Hardwood expands and contracts the most in response to changes. In winter, dry air can cause gapping, cracking, or shrinkage. In summer, excess humidity can cause cupping.

Because it’s built in layers, engineered wood is more dimensionally stable and tolerates fluctuations better. Still, big swings outside this range can damage your flooring, causing similar reactions: gapping, cracking, or shrinkage.

Made with an HDF (high-density fiberboard) core, laminate is more moisture-sensitive than engineered wood. Too much humidity can cause swelling; too little can cause joints to separate.

Vinyl is the least sensitive to changes in humidity. It won’t expand/contract like wood products, but extreme dryness can cause static, and extreme humidity can encourage mold if moisture gets underneath. Dry winter air can cause wood to shrink and crack, while too much moisture can cause it to swell.

If you have a 3-season cottage, it's important that the vinyl flooring is not walked on during freezing point. Unfortunately, if you try to enter your cottage, the flooring lock system can crack and break because it's so fragile. You can always increase the temperature of the home gradually so the flooring gets used to the warmth if you NEED to visit it during the winter months.

A humidifier in winter and a dehumidifier in summer are 100% necessary and recommended.

Tip: Remember, if you have wood floors in your basement to keep an eye on them as well when it comes to humidity levels, as basements are often forgotten.

With a few simple habits, you can enjoy winter without worrying about what it’s doing to your floors. And if you’re looking for floors that can stand up to the Ontario climate, even better, our team at Grand Floors is always here to help you find the perfect option.

Visit our Showroom today at 74 Saunders Rd, Barrie.

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