Best Practices for Hardwood Flooring in High-Traffic Areas

Hardwood floors bring warmth and elegance to any space—even the busiest rooms in your home or business. But high-traffic areas such as kitchens, entryways, hallways, and retail spaces face daily challenges: foot traffic, spills, and constant wear. At Artistry Hardwood Flooring, we design floors and finishes that are built to perform, and we’ve gathered the best practices to keep your hardwood looking beautiful and resilient for years.

Choose the Right Hardwood for Heavy Use

Engineered Construction for Stability

For areas with constant activity, engineered hardwood is the smart choice. Our multi-ply construction resists seasonal expansion and contraction, giving your floor long-term dimensional stability. This is especially important in kitchens, great rooms, and commercial settings.

Harder Wood Species

Species such as French White Oak naturally stand up to dents and scuffs better than softer woods. Their tighter grain patterns and higher Janka hardness ratings make them ideal for busy households or retail environments.

Durable, Low-Sheen Finishes

Wire-brushed finishes hide small scratches and everyday wear more effectively. Our 300-foot custom finishing line allows us to create a finish that blends durability with the hand-crafted character Artistry is known for.

Installation Practices that Protect Your Investment

A strong foundation is key to long-term performance. Follow key steps from the Artistry Install Guide:

Acclimation: Allow flooring to rest for at least 48 hours in sealed cartons to adapt to job site conditions.
Job site Conditioning: Maintain 50°F-80°F and 25–50% relative humidity before and during installation.
Subfloor Flatness: Ensure subfloors are flat with no variations that exceed ⅛ of an inch over 10 ft area, according to guidelines of the NWFA .

Professional installation using these standards ensures your floor can handle heavy traffic without failing.

Daily Habits to Reduce Wear

Keep Grit Away

Dirt and sand act like sandpaper. Place mats at entryways, and sweep or vacuum with a hardwood-safe attachment daily. This simple habit dramatically reduces surface scratches.

Use Rugs and Runners

Strategic area rugs and hallway runners protect high-traffic paths. Choose rugs with breathable backings that won’t trap moisture or damage the finish.

Furniture Protection

Add felt pads to chair and table legs. For rolling chairs, use protective mats to prevent compression dents.

Cleaning and Long-Term Care

Gentle Cleaners: Use products designed for hardwood—avoid harsh chemicals or steam mops. While cleaning your hardwood floor, we recommend Bona cleaning products as the only trusted brand for maintaining Artistry floors.
Routine Maintenance: For regular maintenance, and to clean light dust off of your hardwood surface, use a broom and dustpan, or a vacuum on the floor setting. To get rid of stains and tougher patches on your hardwood floor, you’ll need a mop and a bottle of Bona hardwood cleaner. Spray just enough Bona hardwood cleaner to dampen the affected surface. Then clean thoroughly with the mop.
Periodic Screen and Re-coating: All of our floors finishes can be screen and re-coated to replenish the finish without a having to do a full sanding and refinishing.

These practices not only preserve beauty but also extend the life of your investment.

Hardwood That Stays Beautiful—No Matter How Busy Life Gets

High-traffic areas shouldn’t make you shy away from hardwood. With the right product, expert installation, and simple daily care, Artistry Hardwood Flooring can stand up to years of activity while retaining its warmth and character.

Contact us today to request samples or talk to our team about the best hardwood options for your busiest spaces.