Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
Winter may be magical, but it's no holiday for your floors. Between icy weather, festive gatherings, and constant heating, the chilly months put flooring to the ultimate test.
From scratches and stains to warping and cracking, winter can do more damage than you think—especially if your floors are older.
Ice, salt, and water, oh my!
Snow and ice are tough on floors, bringing moisture that seeps into wood, causing it to swell and warp. As the water dries, the wood contracts, creating cracks and gaps.
Laminate and luxury vinyl planks manage moisture better, but pooling water leads to bubbling or lifting at the edges. Even carpet isn't safe, as moisture can get trapped in fibers fostering mold, mildew, and lingering odors.
Moisture is your floor's worst enemy, but add in de-icing salts, anti-skid sands, and other abrasive debris that stick to shoes and grind against your floors, and you've got a concoction perfect for dulling finishes and accelerating damage.
Protect your floors with a quality doormat made from coir, a natural material from coconut husks. Its thick bristles scrape off dirt and debris, while its absorbent fibers trap water from rain or snow.
Holiday messes are no joke
Wine soaking into carpets, cranberry sauce embedding itself deep in fibers, and plates slipping and leaving scratches on hard floors.. sound familiar?
The holidays bring plenty of fun –– and plenty of mishaps that your floors won't forget. Spilled drinks and sauces cling to carpet fibers, leaving stains that outlast the party. Dropped dishes and utensils will chip, dent and scratch your hardwood.
Even tile isn't safe as the grout soaks up spills that discolor it for the long haul.
Holiday memories are priceless, but there are better ways to remember the good times — like a photo.
Simple steps like placing rugs in busy areas or encouraging a no-shoes rule can help protect your floors and keep the focus on the festivities.
Turning up the heat can turn on the damage
Your heater might keep your family cozy, but it's hard on your floors.
Keeping your home warm in the winter has an unexpected consequence: it can damage your floors. Running the heat all day, every day dries out the air, pulling moisture from flooring materials.
Wood floors shrink as a result, leaving noticeable gaps between planks and, in some cases, cracks in the wood itself.
Even engineered wood and laminate, which handle dry air better, aren't completely immune. Using a humidifier to maintain indoor humidity between 30–55% can help prevent winter damage, giving your floors the extra care they need during the colder months.
Start fresh after the holidays
Winter is tough on your floors, but that's what they're there for—handling the spills, scratches, and daily messes of life. This holiday season, stress less about muddy shoes, wet paws, and messy guests. Instead, plan ahead with RC Willey and get new flooring that will spruce up your home immediately, while providing the latest technology sure to improve your current situation.
Sign up for a free in-home pre-measure this December and save up to $1,000 on select flooring. Lock in your savings now and schedule installation after the holidays—when the parties are over, the extended family has gone home, and life has settled down.
Fresh new floors are just a click away. Don't wait to start the new year off right!
