Ask a dozen people about hardwood flooring, and you’ll hear a dozen opinions — and a few common hardwood flooring myths as well. Over the years, hardwood’s popularity has never gone out of style. However, plenty of homeowners unnecessarily shy away from this favorite flooring type due to misconceptions about it.
Ready to receive some education based on hard facts, not fiction? Read on to learn more about hardwood floors:
1. You Need to Babysit a Hardwood Floor
Worried you’ll be hovering over your hardwood floors and worrying about their maintenance? You’ll be relieved to hear that upkeep on wood flooring is actually pretty straightforward.
All you have to do is sweep regularly and occasionally run the vacuum to pick up inevitable dust bunnies. For spot cleaning, a damp cloth can will do the trick.
Eventually, you may also need to give your floor some TLC in the form of professional refinishing, but that’s only necessary if it becomes truly worn down and loses its natural shine.
2. You Will Pay a Lot for Hardwood Flooring
While hardwood floor planks and their installation cost more than other types of flooring, they can last for 75 years or more.
This trait makes them a terrific investment, especially if you’re planning to live in your house for a long time or trying to increase its inherent value.
However, engineered hardwood is a cost-effective and durable alternative to traditional solid hardwood. Unlike solid hardwood, engineered flooring is more stable and less prone to warping over time, especially in high-moisture areas like kitchens or basements.
3. You Can Expect Tons of Scratches and Dents
Hardwood isn’t always hard. Some types of wood can be quite soft, making them easy to mark up or dent. So is this one of those myths about wood flooring that’s actually true? Not exactly.
With proper care, hardwood floors can be a durable flooring choice, even for high-traffic areas like kitchens and living rooms.
Harder types of wood, like white oak, resist marks made by everyday wear and tear. When you speak with your flooring specialist, ask about the strength rating of your preferred wooden floor.
4. Hardwoods Look Alike
Any hardwood flooring enthusiast knows every genuine hardwood plank exhibits unique features, such as knots and graining. Different wood species offer unique textures and grains, enhancing the variety of hardwood floors.
It’s impossible to get two hardwood planks that look alike, and you can thank Mother Nature for their discrepancies.
Additionally, different species of wood tend to have their own unique styles of textures and grains. As you start discovering more about hardwood floors, you’ll become more acquainted with the appearance of different hardwood varieties and be able to identify your personal preferences.
5. Hardwood Isn’t for All Spaces
This is a semi-true hardwood flooring myth, although not for the reason you might suspect. Hardwoods should not be installed in rooms that aren’t climate controlled, such as sunrooms without a heating or cooling system.
Hardwood is a versatile flooring material suitable for controlled environments. That doesn’t mean hardwood belongs away from kitchens or bathrooms, though. As long as you can control the ambient humidity and moisture levels in your living space, you can opt for hardwood floors.
6. Hardwood Only Comes in a Couple Shades
Hardwood floors offer timeless beauty that enhances the aesthetic appeal of any home.
They may look similar in shade or tone when they’re first milled and cut, but when laid out in a room, each type of wood will give the room a distinct feeling. For even more dramatic effects, you can stain hardwood floors to fit with your interior design scheme or install prefinished hardwood.
Whether you prefer a lighter-tone hardwood floor or one with a richer, deeper hue, there are a wide variety of high-quality stains to make your visions a reality.
Suggested image: https://stock.adobe.com/images/serene-living-room-with-lush-greenery-and-hardwood-floors/1205109742?prev_url=detail
7. Wood Floors Are Not Sustainable
Contrary to popular belief, hardwood flooring is not only a luxurious choice but also a sustainable and eco-friendly option for homeowners.
With growing awareness of environmental issues, many people are seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and hardwood flooring fits the bill perfectly. Here’s why:
Hardwood trees are a renewable resource, and many hardwood flooring manufacturers are committed to sustainable forestry practices. This means that the trees are harvested responsibly, ensuring that forests can regenerate and thrive.
When you choose hardwood flooring, you’re opting for a material that can last for decades, even centuries, with proper care. This longevity reduces the need for frequent replacements, thereby minimizing waste.
Moreover, hardwood flooring is biodegradable and can be recycled at the end of its life cycle, making it a truly green choice. It’s also a natural, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic option that promotes indoor air quality and a healthy living environment.
When shopping for hardwood flooring, look for products certified by organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
These certifications guarantee that the hardwood flooring is sourced from sustainably managed forests, giving you peace of mind that your beautiful floors are also kind to the planet.
8. Engineered Floors Aren’t Real Wood Floors
It’s a common misconception that engineered hardwood isn’t real wood, but that’s not true. Engineered floors have a real wood top layer and are built using a more sustainable, multi-layer construction.
This process uses less wood, which is better for the environment and reduces the need for cutting down trees.
Engineered hardwood offers the same look as real hardwood but at a lower cost. It can be made from fast-growing trees like birch or bamboo, and it’s just as durable. For every piece of solid oak, manufacturers can produce four pieces of engineered oak, making it both cost-effective and eco-friendly.
Uncover the Truth Behind Common Hardwood Flooring Myths
Now that you have a clearer understanding of hardwood flooring, it’s time to explore which options are the best fit for your home.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule an appointment with 50Floor today, and one of our flooring specialists will visit you, guiding you through the perfect hardwood selections for your space.