Philadelphia Wood Flooring: Hooked on Classic

Being such an old and well-preserved city certainly has its advantages; when Americans think of their country's past, it's hard not to think of Philadelphia. While the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall come to mind, the really impressive history actually lies in the homes of Philadelphians and the places they visit every day.

Very few areas in the country can boast as many classic buildings that are still used and inhabited today. In some areas of town, even the streets are historical (and while cobblestones and brick roads might not be the most practical thing in the world, you've gotta admit, they have a certain charm). Yes, when it comes to history, Philadelphia has it by the truckload; and when it comes to historic wood flooring, Philadelphia is blessed with more than most. You could be tapping your foot on history as you read this!

Wood Flooring in Philadelphia Homes
Even though not all the wood in the city would be considered "historic", there is a lot of it that's been around for a few generations. With wood flooring, age brings beauty and worth. Unfortunately, it also brings about problems with warping, bowing, and uneven finishes. If warping and bowing are bad enough, it could be time for a new floor; if the finish is the biggest problem, however, refinishing is the best option.

Some Philadelphia wood flooring is old enough to have a wax finish. Wax seals, for the most part, have been replaced by polyurethane seals, which are stronger and more durable. The good thing about wax is that it really protects the wood underneath it, and once it is removed (along with all the dirt and grit that wax tends to hold onto), you'll be amazed at the wonderful wood you've got left to work with.

When to Refinish Wooden Flooring
In some areas, it doesn't matter what time of year a project like this takes place. In Philadelphia, wood flooring probably shouldn't be tampered with until the summer months for a couple reasons.

First, Philly gets cold; though not a problem in itself, the cold weather will force you to be indoors with all the noise and dust if you refinish in the winter. Second, it snows in Philly; once the seal is taken off the wood, it is extremely susceptible to moisture damage. This kind of a project can last for a long time (you're talking at least a week but usually more). A lot of coming and going happens in a week or two, and snow has a tendency to get tracked in, especially if you've got an entire crew of people coming in and out.

Philadelphia Wood Refinishing Stats
It's hard to say why this is true, but refinishing jobs in Philadelphia tend to take less time than in other areas of the country. The national average is around 26 days, but in Philadelphia, it is often shorter by 10 days or more.

Who knows why that is; maybe it's because there's more demand. It could also be that Philly contractors are more experienced with the material (and therefore more efficient) or the companies that do refinishing have employees less employee turnaround. In any case, it's nice to know that historic wood flooring in Philadelphia has a fighting chance of being preserved for yet another generation, and it won't take forever to do it. Philadelphia prices are pretty competitive with the rest of the country, as well, but to get the best deal, make sure to get a few different estimates