Hardwood floors turn out to be the most chosen option to decorate our homes. They look beautiful and add a touch of modernity to any space.   Although they are usually a bit more expensive to install than laminate floors, most people prefer to invest and see the reward of their purchase over time and especially when they put their property up for sale, since a wooden floor adds more value to your house.   However, the are some details that we have to take into account if we want to keep them intact and shiny, beyond the small scratches that can be easily polish.   During the summer season is when more care should be taken with hardwood floors, since moisture is not something that greatly favours this type of material.   As the temperature rises, moisture levels increase and the sun's rays are intensified inside your home. All this can lead to a variety of problems such as discolouration and deformation of the wood, apart from the possible creation of mold or the rotting of the laminates. The good news is that all these problems are preventable and treatable.   Here are some simple tips to give your hardwood floors a long life:   Keep the air conditioning on: although turning off the air during the day helps to lower your electricity bill, it may indeed a bad decision in these hot days. Without AC, the humidity level can increase by 60%.   Dehumidify: is your house very humid? You should have a dehumidifier to lower the humidity levels in your place.   Protect from the sun: did you know that there are some types of wood able to get a sun-tan? But unlike your skin, excess solar rays can soften the wood. To avoid this, keep the blinds closed when no one is at home, especially in the most exposed areas.   Reorganize your furniture: leaving the furniture in the same place for a long time, can make the wooden floors age irregularly. Move them back and forth every other month to make sure the entire floor has been treated equally.   Go barefoot: and ask your guests to do the same. It is very important that you remove your shoes when entering the house, so it prevents unnecessary damage or scratches on the floor. It is also ideal to put carpets in the areas with more traffic to avoid spreading any dirt that may come in the shoes.   Renew: if your floors are very scratched, stained or curved, you should call a professional to repair the damages so it's not too late and then you'll have to replace the entire structure.   I hope these tips will help you keep your floors looking perfect. If you have any other ideas, please comment below, and if real estate is involved, contact me and I will be happy to help you.