How to Use Hardwood Flooring Outside | Hardwood Floors | Charlotte NC

HOW TO USE HARDWOOD FLOORING OUTSIDE

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HARDWOOD Hardwood has been widely used in the construction field. It is the perfect material for building houses, installing floors, and outdoor walkways. However, although wood offers durability, safety, and beauty, it is necessary to take into account its care and maintenance to preserve it in excellent condition.

FLOORING OUTSIDE Also, before installing hardwood floors outside, take into account the conditions offered by the area. In this sense, the best option is to choose materials and installation methods that bring dimensional stability against humidity fluctuations and unstable weather. Indeed, you must consider the wood hardness to allow it to stand up to heavy foot traffic, pets, kids, and environmental elements.

TREATING THE WOOD OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

In the first instance, bear in mind that hardwood expands and contracts as it gains and loses moisture because it is a hygroscopic material. This expansion and contraction of the wood are natural and, therefore when building a deck it is important to include a small expansion gap. Hardwoods such as ash, oak, and cherry offer excellent results for outdoor floors.

SOFTWOOD SPECIES AND COMPOSITE WOOD On the other hand, softwoods such as yellow pine are the most common species of wood used for decking.

However, it requires a lot of maintenance because it warps easily. Otherwise, you can consider the use of composite wood because it does not attract insects and termites. However, composite is more expensive than other similar solutions such as pressure-treated wood.

TREATMENTS

Hardwood outside can be treated in several different ways. First, you can cover outdoor wooden structures by applying coats of polyurethane or other kinds of finish. For example, outdoor polyurethane is an excellent product because it is thicker and harder than those used indoors.

CLEANING METHODS

When cleaning your outdoor hardwood floors in Charlotte, NC, use a broom for outdoor surfaces. Besides, try to sweep your floors to eliminate dust and debris, and wash the entire area to remove early stains. Avoid the use of metal brushes because they can scratch your floors easily. On the other side, when washing the surfaces, prevent them from staining by saturating them with water before using cleaning solutions. Also, do not use pressure washing machines because they can damage some types of wood.

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