Pros: Hardwood has a beautiful appearance, and also helps add value to your home. Cons: On top of its high expense, hardwood also isn’t very durable. It’s prone to scratches, dents, and water damage, and may have to be refinished as often as every three to five years at a cost of about $1,685.

What is the best finish for hardwood floors?

What is the Best Finish for Hardwood Floors? Polyurethane is the most popular finish for floors. It’s tough enough to handle constant traffic and is resistant to almost everything. There are two types of polyurethane finish: oil-based (solvent borne) and water-based (waterborne).

What are the pros and cons of hardwood floors?





Pros and Cons of Hardwood Flooring

  • Advantages of Hardwood Flooring. A long-term investment. Variety. Quality that is ageless. Easy maintenance and hygiene. Healthy air quality at home. Better for babies. …
  • Disadvantages of Hardwood Flooring. Cost. Prone to termite attack. Avoid water contact. Scratching. Limited usage. Cupping.


Is satin or semi gloss better for hardwood floors?

Satin reflects less light, giving it a duller, low-sheen appearance, while semi-gloss reflects more light, making it more lustrous and shiny. Wood finished with satin polyurethane hides imperfections better than wood finished with semi-gloss.

Which hardwood floor is most scratch resistant?

Selecting a floor such as Hickory, Hard Maple or White Oak can protect your floor from damage, as these hardwoods are less susceptible to scratches than softer woods like Pine, Cherry or Black Walnut. Hardwoods with more dramatic grain patterns can help to hide scratches more easily.

What is the most durable wood finish?





Oil-based polyurethane is the most durable finish you can apply by hand, and catalyzed lacquer and varnish are the most durable sprayed finishes.

Is semi gloss or high gloss better for hardwood floors?

Since high gloss is not the best option for high traffic areas in your home, a low gloss finish might be a better choice for those areas. If you want a slighter appearance of high gloss though, and still want a hardwood finish that will last a long time, semi-gloss is your best option.

Is engineered hardwood worth it?

Engineered hardwood has slightly better performance in humid locations since its plywood construction makes it more stable and less susceptible to warping. If installation against a concrete subfloor is necessary, engineered hardwood is the choice.

What are the disadvantages of engineered wood flooring?

10 Major Disadvantages of Installing Engineered Wood Flooring

  • Engineered Hardwood Can Be Pricey. …
  • A Low-Quality Core. …
  • There’s a Danger of Fading. …
  • You Need to Let the Wood Acclimate. …
  • Wooden Floors Require Specific Care. …
  • Engineered Hardwood Is Susceptible to Water Damage and Moisture.

Do buyers prefer carpet or hardwood in bedrooms?



Dawn Wilson, Keller Williams: “Most buyers prefer hardwood. For selling purposes, it is better to have hardwood. If there is not hardwood in the home already, and it is cost prohibitive to put hardwood in, then in most cases, new carpet should be put in prior to resale. Buyers like tile flooring in the bathrooms.

What’s better LVP or engineered hardwood?

Vinyl plank flooring is also completely water-resistant making it useful in rooms that are humid and moist. It is not entirely indestructible and can dent or tear due to the weight of furniture and appliances. Engineered hardwood is made from layers which makes it fairly durable when it comes to moisture and humidity.

Do dogs nails scratch engineered hardwood floors?

Engineered Hardwood Floors



The sub-layers of engineered flooring can be of the same species or of different species, while the top layer is always high-quality wood. The durability of engineered floors means that they can better withstand scratches from your pet’s nails.

What is the trend for hardwood floors?



In 2022, greige (gray + beige) is the new gray in terms of wood flooring color trends. This trend of brown, beige, and a touch of gray has taken off in the past year. Greige has the minimalist feel of gray with the depth of beige.

What are the 3 types of finishes?

What Are The Categories of Wood Finishes? There are three main types of timber finishes – evaporative, reactive and coalescing. Evaporative finishes use acetone, alcohol and nitro-cellulose lacquer thinners as solvents and thinners. Shellac and nitro-cellulose lacquers also fall into this category.

How do I choose a wood finish?


Quote from Youtube video: I want to use to make the wood more durable. My favorite finish for durability is usually spray varnish or spray lacquer. They both perform similarly.

Which is better varnish or polyurethane?

While varnish provides value in its protection against ultraviolet light and natural durability, it is specifically designed for outdoor surfaces. Polyurethane on the other hand, offers durability and flexibility for interior projects.

Should I use lacquer or polyurethane?



Despite being available in variances, polyurethane is more durable. It is thick and leaves a strong coating. Lacquer is thin and penetrates the wood surface. It is also durable but susceptible to scratches and discoloration after some time.

Does polyurethane turn yellow?

Oil based polyurethanes turn the floors yellow…and over time, they become more yellow…and sometimes even a bit orangish. It’s the UV rays from the sun that turn them a darker yellow or amber and the more they are exposed over time, the yellower they get.

What’s the difference between urethane and polyurethane?

Urethane is flexible and malleable, making it ideal for objects that have different shapes and forms, and it is used in liquid form. Polyurethane, on the other hand, is stiff and rigid and is ideal for firmer items, with many advantages over natural rubber.

What is stronger urethane or polyurethane?

In short, polyurethanes are far more durable and can be molded into a wider degree of applications than urethane, leading to harder, stronger and longer-lasting products depending on how many urethanes are added and what specific products a manufacturer desires.

Is urethane the same as clear coat?



Polyurethane. Oil-based polyurethane is a fairly durable clear coat. It adds a slight color tone and will bring out the richness of wood which makes this oil-based product great for stained wood including hardwood floors.