Good quality wooden floors will last decades, and their classical good looks will never go out of fashion. But what if you want to redecorate? How can you renovate without causing damage to the floor? Temporary floor protection is essential whether you’re opting for a small DIY project or booking a builder for a significant upgrade. What’s the best way to protect engineered wood flooring during a renovation? Take a look at our top 10 tips.
10 Tips to Protect Wooden Floors During a Renovation
Tip #1 Cover Your Floor With Adhesive Film
A protective film is ideal for covering all types of wooden surfaces when renovating. You can use it to protect your beautiful Chevron flooring, skirting boards and even the doors! The film comes in a roll and is self-adhering. It’s a durable material that stays in place until you peel it off. The film will protect your wood floor from paint spills and dust, but it won’t stop the damage from heavy tools or building equipment. If you have large-scale building work carried out, you need something tougher.
Tip #2 Chipboard for Large-Scale Refurbishments
You need better protection for your floor if planning heavy-duty renovations involving large equipment, building materials or wall removal. Chipboard or similar is the best answer – these boards can be cut to size and placed on top of your rustic long plank wood flooring for maximum protection. If tools get dropped or workers drag rubble across the room, it won’t matter; your engineered wood flooring will survive unscathed.
Tip #3 Dust Sheets are Ideal for Small DIY Jobs
Dust sheets are a tried and tested favourite for protecting floors and furniture during redecoration. They are just fine for light remodelling work and will catch dust, dirt, and paint drips. But dust sheets are easy to trip on, and they slide around on hard flooring, so they have some drawbacks. Dust sheets are reusable, however, so they are often the most cost-effective solution.
Tip #4 Protect Your Flooring with Cardboard
Cardboard offers adequate protection from both splatters and tool dents for the average remodelling project. Secure the cardboard in place with painter’s tape so that it doesn’t move around, and you have an effective protective layer for your exquisite herringbone flooring. Cardboard can be bought in rolls for floor protection, or you can cut up old, clean boxes if you have enough.
Tip #5 Keep the Area Clean
Cleaning is one of the most important things to do when renovating your home. Paint spills can seep under floor protection if not cleaned up quickly. If you step in a plaint drip, you could walk it all over the house if you are not careful.
Sweep up regularly – small pieces of grit can scratch wooden flooring, so removing all dirt periodically is good practice. One of the advantages of engineered wood flooring is that it can be lightly sanded to repair scratches, but it’s a better idea to stop them from occurring in the first place.
Tip #6 Use Shoe Covers
It’s wise to wear sturdy footwear when renovating to prevent damaging toes. Work boots are very practical, but they can bring dirt indoors. Why not use shoe covers when you come in and out to keep the home clean and prevent scratches to the wooden floor?
Tip #7 Clear Away As You Go
When you have finished with a tool, paint pot or piece of equipment, remove it from the room. The more things you have in the area, the harder it is to move freely around. With tripping hazards everywhere, you’re more likely to drop or spill something that could damage your flooring. A clean environment is always nicer to work in.
Tip #8 Protect the Flooring in All Rooms
While you might only renovate one room, you must consider the whole house. Without careful planning, you could ruin your wooden flooring in another area.
Plan your route in and out. Will you use the front door or the back to carry everything inside? Determine your walking path and stick to it. Make sure the way through it is clear of furniture and objects to make it easy and consider covering the floor on the route too.
Tip #9 The Final Clean-up
When all the renovation work is done and the floor protection is removed, you must clean meticulously before you use the room again. If you’ve had your flooring for a while, you know how to clean engineered wood floors effectively, but it’s essential to be extra thorough after remodelling.
Before you move furniture back in place, carefully sweep the whole area. Pay attention to the corners; you don’t want to miss any tiny particles that could scratch your wooden floor. Once the floor is swept, clean the surface using only the recommended cleaning products, solutions that have a neutral PH and no acidity.
Tip #10 Replace the Furniture
Move the furniture back into position with great care. Don’t drag anything; wait for help if you cannot lift the heavy pieces yourself. Just before you place items down on the floor, wipe the underneath of the feet to ensure there are no pieces of grit stuck to them.
Do All Types of Wood Flooring Need Protecting?
All the flooring at Wood Flooring Ireland is handcrafted and bespoke. What are the different types of wood flooring we offer? We design your new floor with your help – tell us about the style, tone and texture you desire, and we will provide it. Look for inspiration in our gallery of traditional plank, chevron, herringbone, and Versailles flooring. View the available colours and finishes – we can create your dream floor.
Our team of passionate experts are always available to discuss your ideas and answer your questions. If you want to know more about what engineered wood flooring is made of, we are happy to explain our processes. Ask us about the benefits and why you should choose engineered wood flooring – we love to discuss our products. We also share knowledge with our customers on areas such as wood floor care tips.