6 Myths On Wood Flooring Installation

The use of hardwood flooring has over the years grown in popularity as many home owners seek to enjoy the artistic, exotic looks related with these kinds of floors. There are however many wood flooring myths that have also risen along with the popularity and it is worth uncovering these myths in order to establish the truth. Below are myths that you should know:

Myth No 1: If it scratches, then it is not of high quality
This is one of the many wood flooring myths commonly spread by marketers of pre-finished flooring products as a way of capturing their client’s attention. While wood floors are of great quality including the pre-finished ones, it is worth noting that they will scratch if mishandled. For example, you cannot drag objects that have sharp bases and expect them not to scratch your floor no matter how good it is in quality. A quality wood floor is capable of maintaining its beauty and form for many years if proper care and maintenance is provided but with time you will notice some scratches and change in sheen and especially along the high traffic areas.

Myth No 2: Wood floors should be waxed regularly 
This is yet another common wood flooring myths that has gotten many homeowners confused. The truth however is that your floor does not need waxing and especially if it is of high quality finish and professionally applied. Waxing your floor will only make it slippery thus exposing you and others users to danger and therefore should be avoided. Additionally, waxing the wood floor means you cannot re-coat it at a future need in case you want to as the wax will make it hard for the finish to adhere well. 

Myth No 3: Site applied finishes are durable compared to finishes on pre-finished wood floors
In most cases, pre-finished wood floors feature factory-applied finish that is applied using UV light within controlled settings. Generally, quality pre-finished floors are cured using a number of coats and most contain additives such as aluminum oxide which guarantees durability. The process of ultraviolet cure on the coatings help the wood floors to last for up to 25 years or even more. Contrary to the aforementioned wood floor myth both pre-finished and site-finished floors will require the same care and maintenance if they are to last for long. This is one of the many wood flooring myths that you need to dispel by taking care of your floor if it is to last long.

Myth No 4: Anyone can refinish his or her own floor
Although this is one of the commonest wood flooring myths among many people, it is good to know that the flooring process is tedious, demanding and requires a number of equipments that you might find tricky to gather together. Instead of going through this long process, using a professional floor sander will make things easier for you and especially because flooring companies come with quality equipments that will help do the work meticulously. Additionally, using a professional will help minimize the damages that you are likely to inflict on your wood floor.

Myth No 5: Gloss wood finish is superior to satin finish
Well, although this was the same some years back, the hi-tech formulation technology involved in the wood floor finishes today has titled the game thus dispelling the myth above. Quality satin and gloss finishes are formulated for application by professionals thus giving you satisfying results at the end of the day. Both are durable and if applied by a professional will serve you for decades without requiring any replacements. 

Myth No 6: Water-based wood floor finish is not durable compared to oil-based finishes
Although this used to be a fact a few years ago, things have changed with time and both oil-based and water-based finished can be trusted to serve for many years without environmental hazards. Many floor refinishers have come up with suitable technology that has enhanced the quality of water-based finishes thus dispelling one of the oldest wood flooring myths in the flooring industry. Water based wood floor finishes are nowadays durable and also guarantees the highest quality levels that you any homeowner will enjoy. If you are not interested in oil based finishes and would want to avoid the oil related fumes, then water based wood floor finishes will be the best option for you