What Is A Sealed Hardwood Floor

Almost all hardwood floors are sealed even if the seal is just a coat of penetrating oil and a layer of paste wax.

What is a sealed hardwood floor.

Sealing the wood protects the floor from moisture which is the floor s worst enemy. Many newer homes today have sealed hardwood floors. Engineered wood flooring looks very similar on the surface but it is made from a relatively thin layer of hardwood bonded over a substrate of high quality plywood. Hardwood floor finishes have varying levels of ease durability even glossiness.

Hardwood flooring is sealed to protect the top surface of the wood but the floor is by no means waterproof. Shellac and lacquer finishes are sparingly used. As the name suggests sealants either cover the surface or penetrate into the wood. Sealed floors have been coated with a protective top coat such as varnish or polyurethane.

Do not use water to clean your hardwood floors. They can be shiny high gloss or have a matte finish. In this discussion we will talk about a couple of tests you can do to see if your hardwood floors are sealed. However if the bead of water sinks down into the floor and makes a spot the sealant on your floors is no longer sound and water damage can and will occur.

Knowing how to stain and seal a hardwood floor properly pays off in having a beautiful finish and enduring protection. Hardwood floors add a beautiful touch to just about any room but there s some debate about the best way to clean them. Gentle cleaners are best for any hardwood floor finish but oiled and waxed floors require a type of care you don t need to lavish on hard surface finishes. There are several different mixtures to use for hardwood floors and you ll.

The term sealed hardwood floors often comes up in reference to cleaning products or techniques for hardwood flooring. This is the most common type of wood floor. You also find the phrase used in instructions for steam mops which by the way should never be used on wood flooring of any type. If it touches a seam try again with a smaller amount in another area.

Brush up on the basics of 8 popular options before choosing yours. Apart from these finishes hardwood floors may either be simply coated with wax or varnish. Sealants can be water oil or solvent based formulations. If it stands for 5 minutes without soaking in your hardwood floors are sealed.

Protip don t do this in the middle of the floor where you could stare at it for a few days.