Welcome to our exploration of the most common myths surrounding wood flooring! Whether you’re a seasoned flooring retailer, a dedicated builder, or a homeowner embarking on a renovation journey or new home construction, you’ve likely encountered a few misconceptions about wood floors. It’s time to set the record straight.
Wood flooring, a classic and versatile choice, often gets wrapped in rumors that might steer some away from its undeniable charm and functionality. But fear not! We’re here to dismantle these myths with hard data and common-sense insights, ensuring you make the most informed decisions for your home. So, let’s dive in and debunk these myths, revealing the true beauty and benefits of wood flooring!
Myth #1
Wood Flooring is Hard to Maintain
During flooring selection, clients often look longingly at beautiful wood flooring options and then sadly say, “I wish I could get wood floors, but I hear they take a lot of work to maintain.”
This is not true. Wood floors are easy to maintain and require nothing special compared to vinyl, laminate, or ceramic tile.
Here’s all it takes to maintain a hardwood floor:
- Wipe up spills as they happen.
- Sweep/vacuum as needed.
- Use wood floor cleaner monthly or as needed.
On top of that, wood lasts longer than any other flooring type. This leads us to our next myth…
Myth #2
Wood Flooring is Too Expensive
Many clients think their budget won’t allow for genuine hardwood floors because of the slightly higher upfront price they see when selecting a floor.
The truth is that wood is the only flooring category that pays you back (with interest) in the resale value of your home.
According to the National Association of Realtors 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, installing new wood floors led to a 118% return on investment (ROI) when that house was sold. Simply refinishing existing wood floors led to an even greater 147% ROI. This myth is busted because only wood floors return more than their upfront cost (including installation) when that home goes on the market.
Suppose you don’t plan on selling your home anytime soon. In that case, wood floors also have the lowest maintenance cost and most extended service life (50-75 years) of any other flooring category, making them an excellent short-term or long-term investment.
Myth #3
Wood Floors are not Waterproof
If you think wood is not an option for your next flooring project because you need something waterproof, consider what waterproof really means when it comes to flooring.
Vinyl and some laminate floors indeed claim to be “waterproof.” In reality, this only refers to surface spills and splashes – which wood floors can handle just fine by wiping them up promptly.
Typically, wood floor failures due to moisture involve major flooding, a burst pipe, or a leaking appliance. In most of these scenarios, any type of flooring, even if marketed as “waterproof,” must be entirely replaced.
Myth #4
Wood Flooring is Bad for the Environment
The myth that wood flooring is terrible for the environment is counterintuitive. How can cutting down trees be a good thing?
The truth is that wood is the most environmentally friendly flooring option available by far!
Trees store carbon, and healthy forests must be harvested to grow new trees. If trees aren’t harvested responsibly, they decay or burn in a forest fire, releasing all the carbon they hold.
If trees are turned into building materials like lumber or flooring, they store that carbon for much longer in a highly sustainable way.
Looking at other flooring types and the carbon they emit as they are produced is even more concerning.
As this chart shows, carpet and rigid core vinyl flooring emit the most carbon out of any other flooring type.
Using wood for flooring is a fantastic way to lower your environmental footprint because:
- It has a longer life cycle than other products.
- It’s a naturally renewable material.
- Because it’s organic, it will fully decompose.
- Residuals are used to heat facilities.
- Wood flooring stores carbon, even once it’s in a landfill.
But what about the trees?
Our U.S. forests are in great shape, actually. The Forest Inventory Analysis (U.S. Forestry Service) Report states that:
- Forest growth exceeds harvest and mortality by 33% annually.
- Growing stock increased 130% from 1952 to 2012.
- There is currently annual growth of more than 272 million cubic meters.
- Forestry harvest practices ensure that forests are selectively harvested instead of being clear-cut.
Myth #5
Wood Floors Might Get Scratched
The final myth we want to address is the concern that wood might scratch.
And to that, we say… you’re right. Wood flooring does scratch more easily than vinyl, laminate, or tile floors.
The more accurate truth is that no floor is fully scratch-resistant. All floors, including vinyl, laminate, and tile, will scratch, and on those floors, the scratches are permanent. The only way to remove them is to replace the floor.
But…
With wood, however, scratches are temporary. Any wood floor can be refinished with a new protective coat that removes all surface scratches.
If you end up with deep gouges or damaged boards, solid wood and thicker engineered wood floors can be fully re-sanded down to bare wood and finished again with whatever stain color you choose giving you a brand-new floor to walk on. Scratches are a part of any hard surface floor, but with wood flooring, they can always be erased.
The Timeless Appeal of Wood Flooring
The myths surrounding wood flooring are just that – myths. As we’ve explored, wood floors offer an unparalleled blend of beauty, sustainability, and practicality that few other flooring options can match. From the ease of maintenance to the significant return on investment, wood flooring emerges as a smart choice for both the short and long term.
Environmental concerns, often associated with wood flooring, are largely unfounded. Responsibly harvested wood is a renewable resource that plays a crucial role in our ecosystem, unlike its more carbon-intensive counterparts. The ability to refinish and repair wood floors also speaks volumes about its longevity and sustainability, making it a choice that aligns with aesthetic and environmental values.
Moreover, the fear of water damage and scratches is often overstated. While no flooring is impervious to these issues, wood flooring offers resilience and repairability that is hard to find in other materials.
In essence, wood flooring is not just a flooring option; it’s a long-term investment in your home. It’s a choice that reflects a commitment to quality, sustainability, and timeless style. So, if you’re considering wood floors for your home, rest assured that you’re making a decision that you – and your home – will cherish for years to come.