Floor varnishing is a time-honoured tradition in the world of home improvement. If you have wooden floors, this is one of the best things you can do for your home in the long term.
So, here’s the real question: are floor varnishing services worth it? This blog post is all about answering that question. Today, we’ll be tackling what floor varnishing actually is, as well as the benefits of varnishing your home’s wooden floors so you can make the right choice for your property.
What is Floor Varnishing?
Floor varnishing is a method of stripping back and re-varnishing the top layer of your wooden flooring. Wood is one of the oldest materials used to build and decorate homes, and it’s well-known for its longevity. But in its natural state, wood can pick up rot, splinter away, or simply wear down over time.
That’s where floor varnishing comes in. Varnish provides a protective layer between the beautiful grain of the natural wood and the outside world, preventing all sorts of things from contaminating the wood. You don’t want moisture, mould, or rot getting into the wood, and varnish can help to prevent that.
There are a few different kinds of varnish you can use, including oil-based, water-based polyurethane varnishes. Each one has unique properties, but it’s generally accepted that polyurethane varnishes are the most effective.
Regardless of which type is used, there are plenty of ways that floor varnishing can change your home for the better!
The Benefits of Floor Varnishing for Your Home
Your Floors Look Better
The very first thing is that floor varnishing services make your floors look beautiful! The natural grain and colour brings a real shine to even the simplest home, immediately elevating a property.
Varnish takes that look to the next level. Depending on the varnish that you pick, you can select a glossy, satin, or matte finish to bring out the natural qualities of the wood. You can even select varnishes that have a tone mixed in, enhancing the warm, rich colours of the flooring.
Over time, wooden floors can degrade and start to bring down the look and feel of your home. Re-varnishing those floors immediately restores the wood to its former glory.
The Wood Lasts Longer
There are three things that will age your wooden floors: sunlight, moisture, and foot traffic. Sunlight, or more specifically UV light, causes cracking and fading in the wood over time as there are no natural oils or sheen to repel these rays.
Moisture can infiltrate the wood grain and the cracks between panels. As the water expands and contracts with changes in temperature, the wood flexes around it, creating warps and cracks.
Finally, high foot traffic can scuff and damage the floors, causing them to dull over time.
Long story short? There are any number of things ready to damage and degrade your floors, but a solid coat of varnish will protect the wood from all of these factors. This allows the wooden floors to last much longer than they normally would, saving you the time, money, and stress it would cost to replace them.
Cleaning is Easier
Poorly maintained wooden floors are rough and full of pockmarks. These little cracks and holes are ideal hiding places for dust and other allergens, and they’re pretty tough to clean. No matter how aggressive you are with your mop, broom, or vacuum, there’s always going to be a little something left behind.
On the other hand, the varnished floors are completely smooth. This makes them super easy to sweep and mop and prevents debris from finding a crevice to get lodged in. Not only does this mean your wooden floors will consistently look better, but you’ll most likely enjoy them a lot more when you don’t have to spend hours cleaning them.
Your Floors Are Tougher
Life can be messy, and no matter how hard you try to care for your wooden floors, a floor is a floor. That means there will be spills, scuffs, and damage that occur over the years in your home. Soft, unvarnished wood takes to this kind of damage like a canvas, capturing and preserving these pockmarks or spills to wear for decades.
On the other hand, varnished floors are much more resistant to all sorts of damage. This is especially important to think about if you have pets, children, or a messy hobby, as all of these important pieces of your life can contribute to floor damage over time.
Your Property is Worth More
Finally, high-quality wooden floors are the hallmark of an expensive property. Investing in regular floor varnishing services can seriously improve the value of your home. While old, poorly maintained wooden floors might bring the price down, high-quality floors that have been looked after will encourage buyers to make better bids.
Book floor varnishing services from the experts at Floorsanding NZ.
At Floorsanding NZ, we’re proud to provide Auckland’s top floor varnishing services. Ready to help your floors look better, last longer, and bring in a better price tag once you sell your home? Get in touch with our friendly team to book your consultation today!