Too expensive, hard to maintain, shows dirt easily… these are just a few of the myths that people may hear about wood flooring. Many will try to deter you from choosing wood flooring when really it is a great investment for any residential or commercial project. Here are the top 5 myths about wood flooring and the truth behind these claims.
Wood Flooring is expensive.
This is the first thing most people will tell you when you are trying to complete a project within a budget. However, this statement is false. What people do not realize is that wood flooring seems more expensive because more of the cost is up front. However, the investment in the flooring and correct installation of the flooring means a life time of beauty and character. Historic buildings that are hundreds of years old still have gorgeous hardwood floors that look as good as new. Other flooring options will likely have a service life of 10-20 years, which means they will need to be replaced 5-10 times as often as wood floors.
Wood Flooring is not a good choice for cold climates.
This is often a huge misconception. Wood floors actually add to the warmth of a room. It can add it aesthetically through its rich tones and also in terms of insulating capacity. Wood has excellent insulation properties. It has 10 times more insulating capacity than steel or aluminum, and five times more insulating capacity than concrete or cinder blocks. As a flooring material, wood retains warmth from heating systems, both from HVAC systems and radiant heat systems, increasing the overall physical warmth of the room. Pair it with a few area rugs and you have a cold climate winner!
Wood floors can scratch easily.
It is true that wood flooring can show wear and tear over time. Lets be honest, so can any flooring choice. The advantage to wood is it is the only option that can be repaired make it look new again without having to replace an entire floor.Most scratches are in the surface of the finish, not the wood itself. These can be repaired with a maintenance coat in which the finish on the flooring is lightly abraded and then a new coat of finish is applied. This process is much like refinishing a piece of furniture where the old furniture is lightly sanded to give the new paint something to adhere to.
Engineered wood floors are not real wood floors.
Engineered wood floors are real wood floors and can be a great option for various applications. An engineered floor is multiple layers of wood or wood composite veneers. If you choose properly, engineered flooring can last as long as solid and can be refinished just as many times. This can be achieved by ensuring a top quality product is chosen. Quality products usually includes multiple layers of plywood as backing and a 4 mil wear surface to allow refinishing. Sustainable options are even available with low VOC glue, making it a healthy choice for your family.
Wood Flooring is not environmentally friendly.
The opposite is actually true if the correct supplier is chosen. Wood flooring from a sustainable managed forest ensures minimal impact on the environment. An even better option is reclaimed wood flooring.Reclaimed flooring is sourced out of building being demolished. This means no new trees are being cut down and it is not going to a landfill. Instead, it is given new life as beautiful, aged, character filled flooring. Also, the life span of wood flooring cuts down on resource use through the life of the home.
**sourced from http://woodfloors.org/top-10-myths-about-wood-floors.aspx**