The holy trinity of hardwood protection is sealing, finishing, and installation. This way, your floor can repel moisture and have a layer of defense against scratches and dents.

Proper maintenance is also crucial. This includes using cleaning agents for hardwood floors, damp mops, and microfiber cloths, which help maintain integrity and appearance.

You’ll also want to ditch using steam mops, be sure to tackle spills and puddles quickly, and maintain a consistent humidity level in your home.

To maintain humidity levels, use a hygrometer to determine whether or not you need a humidifier or dehumidifier. It’s also important to ensure proper ventilation.

Uncontrolled humidity levels can lead to water damage in the form of cycling, buckling, cupping, and crowning and can attract pests, which is why proper protection is so crucial.