5 Myths About Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring remains one of the most reliable, durable, and beautiful flooring options for residential and commercial property owners. Their appeal and natural beauty have made them a popular alternative to homeowners interested in appeal and natural beauty. However, people have created opinions on hardwood flooring, which are half-truths and some myths due to misinformation. Due to the false misrepresentation of facts, some homeowners have started opting for inferior options. Some of the myths about hardwood flooring include the following.

Hardwood Floors Are Hard To Maintain

No homeowner wants to spend hours cleaning the floor. With a rise of manufactured floors advertised as easy-to-clean, most people automatically assume that hardwood floors are labor-intensive to clean and maintain. However, the assumption is wrong in many ways. Options, such as Raleigh hardwood flooring, repel moisture, making them ideal in homes as spilled liquids do not sit on the floor for long. 

Besides repelling moisture and liquids, hardwood floors only need basic maintenance. For a regular home, with or without children and a pet, you need your average vacuum cleaner or a soft static mop to clean it. Also, bi-weekly cleaning routines and dusting help clean the stains, loose grit, and pet hair.  

They Are Expensive

The price factor is arguably the most misunderstood aspect of hardwood flooring. The notion that hardwood floors are expensive is only correct if we consider the investment upfront. However, as a homeowner, the amount you invest in a floor is not the only money you consider when calculating the price. The maintenance cost should be added to the initial investment upfront when calculating the price of a floor. 

Compared to other options, hardwood flooring is not expensive, considering the maintenance costs are minimal. For example, compared to carpets, hardwood floors are easy to refine to match the changing styles instead of investing in a new one. Also, unlike carpet and other flooring options, age does not significantly affect the hardwood as it does on other flooring options.

They Scratch Easily, And They Are Not Durable

The durability and scratch resistance are the two most recurrent factors in each homeowner’s checklist — when investing in a flooring option. Even with enough evidence, the myth that hardwood flooring is prone to scratches — and not durable — has surfaced recently. However, unlike artificial floors, hardwood floors are durable and scratch-resistant. 

While some hardwood floors may get small bruises, it is easy to repair, giving the floor a new look. Depending on the wood type, some hardwood floors may last decades or more than that, compared to other flooring options that need replacement after a decade. However, if you are uncertain about which hardwood option will meet your needs in terms of durability, talk to your flooring supplier for more information. 

All Hardwood Floors Look-Alike

The belief that all hardwood floors are alike is wrong for many reasons. Even though they may have similar shade and natural beauty, a closer look at any two floors will prove that they are different. The graining and knots are the key features that separate hardwood. The texture, even in floors with a similar wood variety, may also be different. 

So, if you want your home to have a unique floor with unique grain, knots, and texture, ignore the myth that the hardwood floors look alike and invest in one. It is worth noting that the texture and grain of the hardwood flooring do not disappear due to scratches or washing. However, you can stain hardwood to fit your preferred shade or interior design scheme. 

Hardwood Floors Do Not Add Warmth To A Home

Besides aesthetics and your home value, floors should add warmth to your home. Unfortunately, the myth that hardwood floors are cold and cannot add warmth to a home is popular. Hardwood is an exceptional insulator, unlike other flooring options, making it an ideal floor option in extreme seasons such as winter and summer. 

In addition to maintaining constant temperatures during extreme seasons, it is dense and porous. The combination makes hardwood ideal for resisting cold fluctuations during winter and extreme heat during summer. So, if you want a flooring alternative to make your home comfortable throughout the year, invest in a hardwood floor. However, for better results, it is advisable to have your hardwood installed by an experienced company. 

Even though hardwood is one of the most popular flooring alternatives, the lack of enough information has created a space for myths and half-truths. Contrary to popular beliefs, hardwood as a flooring alternative is not expensive (considering the lower maintenance costs). It is also easy to clean and repair and the best option in keeping your home warm during cold seasons.