Wood is a living, natural beautiful material. It’s got multiple characteristics, colors, patterns, and textures to match any home or personal style. Plus, wood is tough and durable. However, one of the natural characteristics of wood is that wood will change as it ages. Over time, you can expect your floors to react to its surrounding and the elements. Here’s what you can expect from your hardwood floors as they age.
Why hardwood floors change over time
When wood is exposed to the elements – air, light, heat, and moisture – the chemical composition of the wood will change, and so will the color, texture, and grain pattern.
The color of your hardwood floors is the most noticeable change. You can get some insight into what these color changes may be by looking at the overall color spectrum represented in the wood, however, it can be pretty unpredictable. The only predictable change in appearance is that there will be a change.
The changes can be more or less dramatic from species to species, and even tree to tree. Some will become lighter over time, others will darken. Some species will become more rich and vibrant with age, others will start to fade a little. You have to remember, wood is a living, breathing thing (or, it used to be) so it is going to react to its environment like a living breathing thing.
Reducing the shift in appearance
To minimize the physical effects of age, wood is treated with a stain and finish to protect it from the elements. By finishing the wood, the color changes will appear less dramatic. However, no finish will completely insulate your floors and prevent the changes that come with age.
Protecting your floors
Once the floors are installed in your home, you can take steps to protect the wood and slow down the aging process. Making sure that your floors aren’t being blasted by direct sunlight can protect the color of the wood. Keeping a consistent indoor climate will also prevent the colors from changing over time.
Aging evenly
If you’re thinking about installing hardwood floors one room at a time, be aware that when you get to the last room, the first room may have shifted a bit in color and texture. The change may only be slight, and you might not notice from room to room, but it is something to be aware of when you are creating a timeline for installing new hardwood floors. Doing the entire installation at once will allow your floors to age evenly from room to room.
Talk to a hardwood flooring contractor about the best hardwood floors for your home and aesthetic.