Hardwood floors are one of the oldest and most desirable choices for new flooring today, but throughout their long history, there have been many myths about where and when hardwood floors should be installed. If you’re considering upgrading to hardwood floors, you might hear things like, “they scratch too easily,” “hardwood floors are too difficult to maintain,” “hardwood doesn’t belong in kitchens,” or “they’re too cold.” The truth is that hardwood flooring is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to renovate your home with high-quality materials that improve the value of your home and last for generations. Forbes magazine reports that hardwood floors are one of the top-five items for new homebuyers and with routine maintenance, a new hardwood floor can last for as long as 100 years. Keep reading to learn the biggest myths–and the truth–about hardwood flooring.

Myth #1: Hardwood Flooring Shouldn’t be Installed in Kitchens

This myth is busted! While it is true that laminate and vinyl flooring products offer increased resistance to moisture, hardwood flooring can be installed in kitchens for a warm and inviting atmosphere you can’t get from other materials. Of course, spills happen in the kitchen, but as long as they’re cleaned up quickly, there’s nothing to worry about. For regular maintenance, a weekly dusting with a microfiber cloth, dust mop, or Swiffer will trap enough dirt, dust, and hair to prevent scratches.

Myth #2: Hardwood Floors are too Easy to Scratch

False! The most common cause of scratches to hardwood floors is from heavy furniture legs drug across the floor. To prevent this common type of damage, be sure to install felt furniture pads under table and chair legs and other heavy pieces of furniture, and always use a team lift instead of dragging furniture.

If your hardwood floor is showing signs of normal wear and tear – light scratches, stains, etc. – it might be possible to sand and refinish the floors instead of doing a complete replacement. A typical hardwood floor is refinished 3–5 times throughout its lifespan, once every 20–30 years, meaning that a single floor can last up to 100 years!  Read more on our blog to learn if it’s time to repair or replace your floors.

Myth #3: Hardwood Flooring and Pets Don’t Mix

Not true! The Janka hardness test measures hardwood’s resistance to scratches, stains, and impact damage. With its Janka rating of 1360 force-lbs., Oak and other hardwoods are naturally resistant to scratches caused by dogs and cats as well as the occasional dropped plate of spaghetti. Just be sure to clean it up quickly!

Myth #4: Hardwood Flooring Costs Too Much

We can help! At Dan’s Wholesale Carpet & Flooring we offer everyday wholesale discount pricing on the leading hardwood flooring brands, plus up to 12 months’ interest free financing for those who qualify. If hardwood is out of the budget, we have a wide selection of laminate and vinyl flooring that recreates the hardwood look with the added benefit of moisture resistance at wholesale pricing you can afford.

Give us a call or stop into any of our northeast Ohio locations to see what’s in stock or schedule your free in-home shopping appointment today!