Over the winter season, your reclaimed wood flooring may require special care, similar to its virgin wood counterpart. Once installed, very few individuals can distinguish virgin from reclaimed floor options. This winter, here are some tips for maintaining your reclaimed timber floors and to keep your toes cozy.

Winterize with Layers and Rugs

Take a few minutes organizing this winter to make your reclaimed wood flooring more comfortable. Organize your winter weather gear, to quickly find an extra scarf or cozy hoodie, and place your slippers in a handy location in your home. Booty style slippers will keep your ankles extra warm, and keeping a cozy pair of thick house socks handy will allow you to layer up. If willing to use a few layers when walking around on your reclaimed lumber floors, you'll also save money on heating costs.

Also, consider adding a few rugs to your reclaimed wood flooring. Extra layers of insulation typically keep a space warmer and will help capture heat in your home.

Don't forget home winterization rules as well. Seal up cracks around doors and windows and doors, and ensure the insulation around the areas where pipes enter your home is in good shape. Also reduce drafts that will cool your home and increase your electric bill by adding clear plastic insulation to your windows.

Engineer an Effective Entryway

Standing water and reclaimed wood floors do not mix well. Water can lift flooring finishes and seep into wood flooring, causing mold, bacteria and mildew. Dirt is another nemesis of a recycled wood floor; dirt can cause scratches and scuffs.

In the winter, the standard disrobement at the door of heavy coats, boots and other outdoor gear can cause increased dirt and water to gather on your reclaimed lumber flooring. To combat this, organize your entryway so that your family has a place to put their outdoor apparel and gear that will help reduce dirt on your floor and can be a place where those items can dry.

Here are a few tips for creating an entryway that will help protect your reclaimed wood floors:

- Have both interior and exterior mats available and encourage your family to use both to wipe their shoes.
- Even if just for the winter, make your house a no-shoe-wearing zone. This will both help protect your reclaimed wood floors and carpeting, but will also reduce the amount of toxins that enter your home.
- Add shoe cubbies, hooks and other organizational items to keep wet items organized and to keep your entryway neat.
- Keep some discreet cleaning supplies handy, such a basket of rags near exterior doors to encourage your family to wipe up any rain or mud.

Increase Interior Humidity Levels

Dry winter air isn't good for yourself or for your reclaimed wood flooring. As it's organic, reclaimed timber expands in humid, warmer temperatures and contracts in cold and dry weather. This flexing can create gaps in your reclaimed wood floors, and low humidity can cause cupping and checking in your reclaimed floor.

A simple solution for low humidity is to boil a pot of water or put a teakettle on simmer to let the steam fill the air and increase your home's humidity. Likewise, if you have a wood burning stove, counteract its drying effects by keeping a kettle or pot of water on it.

Tips for Installing Reclaimed Wood Floors in Winter

If you are installing your reclaimed wood flooring during winter, take certain steps to adjust for colder temperatures:

- Check any adhesive temperature guides and adjust any curing times depending on how warm or cold your home is.
- Make sure tools are at room temperature before using them. For example, nail guns can break if used "cold."