Hardwood floors are a timeless choice for any home. However, the finish you choose can impact the look and feel of your floors. Keeping up with the latest trends in hardwood floor finishes helps you make an informed decision that enhances your home's style.

At Footprints Floors, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of the curve with our team of hardwood floor repair specialists in Minneapolis, MN. Read on to see the hottest trends in hardwood floor finishes for 2024.

Why Refinish?

Before exploring trends, you might question whether refinishing your floors is necessary at all. Hardwood floors are renowned for their reliability, but even the sturdiest floors can show signs of wear and tear over time. Beyond simply following the latest design trends, refinishing your hardwood floors offers numerous benefits that improve your home’s interior.

Here are some reasons to consider refinishing your hardwood floors:

• Improved Appearance: Over time, hardwood floors can become dull, scratched, or dated. Refinishing these surfaces can restore the wood's original beauty and luster. With various finish options available, you can update your floors to match contemporary styles and personal tastes.

Increased Home Value: Well-maintained hardwood floors are a sought-after feature in real estate. Refinishing your floors can increase your home's market value and appeal to potential buyers. It's a cost-effective way to impact your property’s aesthetics and marketability.
Longevity and Durability: Refinishing helps to protect the wood from damage and wear. By adding a new layer of protective coating, you extend the life of your floors, making them more resistant to scratches, dents, and moisture. This maintenance can defer the need for more expensive repairs or complete replacements in the future.
Cost-Effective Maintenance: Once refinished, hardwood floors are easier to clean and maintain. Modern finishes reduce the need for frequent deep cleans and can be simply maintained with regular sweeping and cleaning, saving you time and money on supplies and services.
• Healthier Living Environment: Refinishing your floors can also improve the indoor air quality of your home by removing old stains and finishes that may harbor allergens and bacteria. A fresh finish limits the accumulation of dust, mold, and mildew, creating a healthier living environment for you and your family.
• Customization: Refinishing offers the opportunity to customize the appearance of your floors according to your current tastes and trends without the need for complete floor replacement. Whether you desire a matte, satin, or gloss finish or want to incorporate advanced techniques like UV-cured or LED-cured finishes, refinishing allows you to personalize your space to reflect your unique style.

Popular Refinishing Techniques

Investing in a high-quality, long-lasting finish ensures your floors will look great for years to come. Today's popular refinishing techniques cater to different preferences and needs, keeping up with the latest trends in flooring.

Oil-Based Finish

Oil-based finishes are a traditional choice that has regained popularity for their classic appeal. These finishes are made from a combination of natural oils and resins that penetrate deep into the wood, providing a strong finish.

Advantages:

• High durability
• Deep, rich color
• Strong protective layer
• Lasting beauty and resilience

Advantages:

• Eco-friendly with low VOC emissions
• Quick drying times
• Minimal odor
• Clear, natural appearance
• Adds less of an amber tone than other finishes while staying more true to the wood’s original color
• Easy cleanup with soap and water
• Provides UV resistance, which slows the darkening of certain wood species when exposed to sunlight

UV-Cured Finish

UV-cured finishes, an option typically found in factory-finished hardwood flooring, are at the forefront of finishing technology. These finishes typically involve a coating containing photoinitiators that react to UV light to harden quickly.

Advantages:

• Resistant to wear and chemicals
• Immediate usability after application
• Low VOC emissions, making it environmentally friendly
• High level of protection with fewer coats

LED-Cured Finish

LED-cured finishes are quickly becoming popular in hardwood floor refinishing. This innovative approach uses hardwax oil to combine the aesthetic benefits of a penetrating oil finish with the efficiency and durability of LED curing technology.

Advantages:

• Fast curing time
• Environmentally friendly with low VOC emissions
• Enhances the natural look and feel of the wood
• Easy to maintain and repair
• Provides excellent protection against moisture and scratches

Color Trends

As we move into 2024, the trends in hardwood floor finishes are showcasing a range of colors catering to various aesthetic preferences and interior design styles.

Natural and Light Finishes: Natural and light-colored finishes continue to be popular for their ability to make spaces feel open and airy. These finishes highlight the wood's natural beauty and create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Light tones such as blonde and honey look to be particularly trendy this year.
Gray Washed: Gray-washed finishes are in demand for their modern and versatile appearance, which complements both bright and muted color schemes. This finish is especially suitable for urban settings or minimalist designs.
Dark and Bold Colors: For those looking to make a statement, dark and bold finishes, such as deep browns, espresso, and black, are a strong choice. These finishes can add a sense of elegance to any room.
• Two-Tone Finishes: This trend is becoming popular for its ability to add visual interest and contrast to hardwood floors. By using two different finishes on the same floor, such as a dark border with a light center or alternating planks of varying tones, homeowners can highlight unique architectural features and bring a contemporary touch to any room.

From matte to gloss, natural to bold colors, and innovative techniques, these trends for 2024 offer something for every home’s design. At Footprints Floors, we are committed to providing expert advice and top-notch hardwood flooring services.

Contact us today for a free estimate, and let us help you find the perfect finish for your floors.

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