What Constitutes the Most Durable Hardwood Floor?
When we think of the most durable and even waterproof hardwood flooring , maybe we think of a super wood that will not dent, scratch, and it even repels dog pee and the bad attitudes of cats. That wood floor does not exist. In today's blog I will attempt to help you decide what durability means for your home, as well as help you find that flooring product at a price that makes you happy.
Finding durable hardwood floors doesn’t have to be a hard task. There are certain types of hardwood floors that are more durable than others. We listed the most durable floors, so you can choose a hardwood floor that will stand the test of time for your home.
Solid Hardwood Flooring
Although sometimes it takes a lot of maintenance to keep up with solid hardwood flooring, it still proves to be one of the most durable. There are plenty of homeowners that have had their solid hardwood flooring since they bought their home years ago. When you take care of your flooring and clean it often, then you’ll see a huge difference in how long it can last. It’s important to choose the right species of floor so be sure to do your research and look at what solid floor species last the longest.
Tip- Species Plays a Big Part In Durability...Hickory Rules!
Each species of hardwood has a different density. The more dense that hardwoods are, the more resistant to scratches, dents, and gouges that they will be. In my definition of durabity, the species plays the biggest role. Some imported species, like Ipe and Brazillian Cumaru, are more dense than any hardwood species native to the USA, but these imported species are seldom used anymore.
Instead, Hickory hardwood flooring is the king of the forest when it comes to density. In the flooring industry we use the Janka Hardness Scale as a reference for comparing the densities of different species. You can read more about the Janka Scale, and what hardness rating means, on our blog here; (Janka blog)
Check out the awesome deal we are currently offering on our American Home Hickory products from Bruce. With a first quality 3 1/4 wide plank at $2.99 sq ft, getting durability and value just got easy!
Surface Texture Contributes As Well
Many floors are available with a built-in surface texture. One example of a textured surface on hardwood flooring is a wire-brushed finish. When the floor is wirebrushed it gives it a time-worn look, as well as a texture that will help hide wear and abrasion over the lifetime of the floor.
Another texture that is very popular on hardwood floors is handscraping. With a handscraped floor the surface takes on a hand-hewn look. In the photos below you can see our newest addition to our Hickory hardwood program, the Stovall Mill Hickory.
The Stovall Mill is part of a new program that we recently started with Bruce Hardwood Flooring. ReallyCheapFloors.com is the exclusive outlet for the Stovall Mill, and we are excited about our ability to offer a first quality handscraped Hickory plank hardwood floor that is made in the USA for only $3.99 sq ft. This will be a popular choice of flooring for many of our customers.
Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered hardwood flooring is the best way to go if you have the possibility of moisture issues in your home, or if you just prefer a wide plank floor. Solid hardwood flooring has a propensity to expand as it takes on water, where an engineered hardwood floor is much less likely to do so. Made with plys of wood, some engineered floors, like the ones that we offer from Somerset, feature sawn-face veneers. This means that they will look just like a solid hardwood floor because they are made the same way.
Rigid Vinyl Plank
Is there anything that luxury vinyl flooring can’t do? This flooring is a hit among homeowners looking for that hardwood look but who also want to save money in their home improvement budget. This is a great floor for those high-traffic rooms that family members love to gather in. It is a water resistant option perfect for kitchens and bathrooms. You really can’t go wrong when you choose lvp flooring for your home. It is one of the most durable hardwood looks around.
Pro Tip: Most manufacturers offer a 25-year warranty against wear and tear, so be sure to ask about what kind of warranty you can get with your purchase. This is a good way to get reassurance that you have options in case something happens to your flooring.
ReallyCheapFloors.com Sells Durable Wood Flooring
Our inventory is full of some of the most durable hardwood floors. We sell both solid hardwood floors and laminate flooring. All of our floors are made in the USA, so you can rest easy knowing where your purchase came from. Browse our laminate flooring to find an affordable option and feel free to ask our sale associates any questions you might have!
