Expectations are essential when purchasing big purchases like flooring. This is especially true of hardwood flooring. It is no doubt that hardwood flooring will bring a new dimension of beauty that will warm your property. Many people don’t realize that wood flooring has distinct features that make it the ideal option for everyone. This article is not intended to discourage people from purchasing hardwood flooring. Still, you have to consider the following four facts that are not widely known regarding hardwood floors before making the purchase:
- Wood Floors are Guaranteed to Scratch
There are a variety of finishes manufacturers apply to wood flooring to ensure that they are scratch-resistant. The most well-known finish can be Aluminum Oxide. Wood flooring is typically sold with a warranty of wear ranging from 5 to 50 years. Wear warranty will generally only ensure that the veneer of wood won’t wear through. There are no warranties against scratches in the business of wood flooring.
- Wood Floors are Guaranteed to Indent
Wood flooring is not an easy product. However, they can be vulnerable to damage due to heavy usage or falls. Wood flooring is not dent-proof; however, different kinds of wood will have different hardness levels. Janka Test is used to determine the degree of hardness for the wood species. Using this test, the wood species are scored based on the force needed to insert steel balls in the wood. The greater the score is, the more durable the type of wood can withstand wear and denting. Oak engineered wood flooring the most popular kind of wood used for flooring, is the standard against every other type of wood.
- Wood Floors are Guaranteed to Age
The aging process of most flooring generally refers to the way the floor’s luster diminishes with time because of wear and tear to the flooring. If I said, “Your carpet has aged,” you’d think it was time to buy a new carpet. But, one of the most distinctive features that wood floors possess is appearing better over time. Wood floors already have an abundance of appeal and character. If they are maintained properly, regular usage and traffic will add to the gorgeous appearance of your wooden flooring. The real wood flooring can also be refinished to restore its original shine and luster. This isn’t possible on wood-look flooring like vinyl, laminate, and porcelain.
All these are wonderful attributes; However, I would like to discuss the photo-sensitivity that wood flooring exhibits in this article. Wood is known to alter color when the floor is in direct sunlight. In reality, certain flooring made of wood can last for up to a full one and half years before maturing into their full color. Different floor coverings, in contrast, are susceptible to discoloration or fade in the presence of prolonged sunshine. Therefore, while sunlight makes the appearance of other floorings over time, it also beautifies wood floors, which allows them to attain their full hue. This is an important aspect that consumers should be aware of since a newly laid wood floor may not look exactly like the floor you visited in the showroom that has been permitted to show off its full color.
- Wood Floors are Guaranteed to be Affected by Moisture
Wood floors are extremely sensitive to humidity. This is due to subfloor moisture, surface moisture, and humidity variations. The effects of moisture-related issues can cause wood planks to suffer from cracking and buckling, cupping. It is essential to employ an experienced installation team knowledgeable about wood and its reaction to moisture. A proper maintenance plan by the customer is equally crucial. Water accumulated should be cleaned off quickly, and the wood flooring should keep in a controlled climate space.
