Solid hardwood floors are durable and long-lasting, ideal for withstanding heavy foot traffic for decades. They come in a wide range of species, grades, and finishes. Over the lifespan, solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished many times.
Hickory is the most durable wood species grown domestically with a Janka rating around 1820. So while there might be some disadvantages of hickory flooring, strength is not among them. Hickory is a beautiful and unique wood species that sports various colors and a ton of grain character.
One of the most popular wood species options for a durable hardwood floor is oak. Oak is a very hard wood, and it is available in both solid and engineered varieties. Oak hardwood floors are also easy to clean and maintain, making them perfect for busy families.
Due to its hardness and timeless presence, Hickory is another popular scratch-resistant hardwood flooring option for busy households. It has a Janka rating of 1820, making it one of the toughest and most durable hardwoods available. Hickory's distinctive grain pattern and color variations add character to any space.
Vinyl Flooring
These floors are incredibly durable, and they can imitate many other types of flooring such as hardwood or stone. Depending on how much traffic the flooring receives, and the level of care, vinyl floors can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
If you've been following my work, you'll know that I often say that pale natural (oak or maple) or medium neutral brown (like oak or hickory) are the most timeless colour options for wood or wood-look floors.
As part of the total solution Junckers offers a unique care scheme including a 25 year lifetime warranty on the product, installation and maintenance of the floor.
What Species Is Best? The best hardwood floors are made with wood species that are readily available and — you guessed it — very hard. Oak flooring, maple flooring and cherry flooring are all good choices. Other species include bamboo (which is actually a grass), walnut, ash and mahogany.
Scratches, Dents and Other Small Marks
Due to the fact that engineered flooring has a top layer of solid wood it is actually susceptible to the same drawbacks of having solid hardwood floors such as easily being scratched and dented.
Best Hardwood Floor Color for Hiding Wear and Tear
Light-colored hardwood floors. This is probably no surprise either. Because scratches and other minor nicks are often light colored, they blend in well with light-colored hardwood floors.
Best for Water and Heat Resistance: Laminate
Laminate flooring is marginally better for humid locations, such as installation against concrete slabs. Laminate flooring also has some advantages over hardwood when it comes to heat resistance.
Hardwood flooring is better for appearance, lifespan and resale value. Laminate flooring is better for cost, ease of installation and comfort.
Because its solid wood construction allows it to be sanded and refinished several times, solid hardwood flooring comes out on top when it comes to longevity. If you're basing your decision solely on lifespan, longevity is one of the disadvantages of engineered wood. Although, 30 years is still a decent span of time.
Hardwood flooring can last a lifetime, but the glossy shine of original wood flooring will fade over the course of its life. You'll notice fading after about 25 years. Hardwood floors, if installed properly, can last 100 years.
Most other disadvantages of engineered hardwood are also characteristics of solid hardwood. Engineered wood is susceptible to wear and tear. All wood is susceptible to scratches and dents, whether engineered or not, over time. The hardwood species and the finish you choose will determine resistance to wear and tear.
Cons of Engineered Wood Floors
Require special care: These floors cannot be cleaned the same way hardwood floors can be. Only use engineered specific cleaning products. Not as Thick: With only a single thin layer of true hardwood, they can scratch and become damaged more easily.
Overall, engineered hardwood offers a more natural feel as well as longer durability, making it the better investment option in the long run. However, if budget is your primary concern, laminate can be a great choice with its lower price tag and ease of installation.
Lighter colors help brighten up a room, making it feel bigger. The amount of natural light in the room: If you love natural light, and your home gets plenty of it, you may want to opt for a darker wood floor as it tends to fade less quickly than lighter flooring options.
Engineered wood flooring is a better choice in high-moisture environments than solid hardwood, making it a better option for kitchens, bathrooms and basements. But, for whole-house installations, both flooring options offer a wide range of style choices.
Solid wood is by far a much better choice for homeowners. It may cost more than furniture made out of engineered wood, but will last much longer making it much better value for money.
Wood floors are one of the best investments you can make. They're durable, versatile, and most buyers love them. According to real estate experts, the average ROI for installing hardwood floors is about 70% to 80%, and wood floors can boost the sales price of your home as much as 2.5%.
Solid hardwood flooring has the greatest impact on increasing home value. However, it's high price tag means it is more suitable for high-end homes. Engineered timber (or hardwood) flooring also increases home value and is almost indistinguishable from solid timber flooring.
The best time to buy flooring and get the best prices is in the off-season, between December and January.
Hardwood Flooring
what's better than hardwood flooring? It's beautiful, it's durable, and it never goes out of style. Not to mention all of your friends, family, and neighbors aspire to have it, so you'll have your entire network envying your home's flooring design.