Q: We recently purchased a house. I noticed that the birch wood flooring has dents from sliding wheels on stools, and it has quite a few noticeable scratches in some areas. What do you recommend? Is birch wood floors durability below par? I don’t know if the floor is waxed or treated. We are the [...]
Hardwood Durability
May 202011
Q: What finish is best to prevent denting? A: There isn’t a finish I know of that will prevent denting. Each species of wood has a different resistance to denting, and there is some variation from floor to floor and piece to piece within the same species. Note from Rachel: Here’s a link to the [...]
What finish is best to prevent denting?
May 20, 2011
Hardwood Durability, Oil Vs Water Based Urethane, Wax, Etc. Comments Off
May 202011
Q: I’ve got 2 small dogs and a son with autism who pee on my carpets. I am sure by now that everything underneath the carpets are soaked in urine and need to be removed, even though I’ve had the carpet cleaned over and over again. What kind of wood floor and what kind of [...]
Q: We have a cottage in NY, unheated in the winter. What kind of wood floor can we install? Is one type of wood better than another re: wood floors for cottages? A: Quarter and rift sawn tends to be more stable, exhibiting much less side to side expansion/contraction, therefore may be a better option.
Is one type of wood better than another (re:throughout seasons)?
May 17, 2011
Hardwood Durability Comments Off
I am purchasing a home and don’t know which is the best, most durable wood to choose. I worry about wear and tear over the years. What is the best way to maintain wood floors before you have to change it, or not? I don’t love too much grain in the floor, that is why I prefer maple; but is Black Cherry, Maple or Walnut better? If I have to choose oak due to cost, should 3/4″ size or more be better? What about staining the oak? I was told that staining is not good. I thought that all wood had to be stained to achieve all the various colors that are available. What then is “natural hardwood” without staining, but in a darker color?
I prefer maple; but is Black Cherry, Maple or Walnut better? and more questions
November 7, 2007
Hardwood Durability, Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
My hardwood floor is constantly having to endure things being dropped on it, creating dents. Is there some sort of finish that better protects floors from damage?
Hickory has greater resistance to denting than red oak
April 22, 2007
Hardwood Durability, Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
Apr 072007
I am interested in getting hardwood flooring for the main floor of our house. This is the main walkway through the house, so durability is key. We also have a large dog! Any suggestions?
Jul 122006
I am trying to decide on what type of hardwood to purchase. In a previous home I installed dark cherry-stained oak. I have a dog and of course the scratches were very visible and after only a few months looked terrible. I also found it very hard to keep clean.
What type of hardwood to purchase
July 12, 2006
Hardwood Durability, Pre Finished Vs Unfinished, Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
Jun 272006
We are remodelling our kitchen and considering putting a Beech floor down. Is this a good wood for wear and tear? We have two grandchildren and they tend to play in the kitchen. Will the beech show all the dents and scratches easily? What would be the best wood to use? The flooring person said that beech is just as hard as red oak- Is this true?
Feb 162006
We are currently remodelling our home and plan on putting wood flooring in both our master bath as well as our laundry room. I know wood floors are generally not recommended for these areas because of water, moisture, etc. However, we are unable to be perfectly happy with any other flooring. Is there any particular species that would be able to hold up better than the others? Also, we are planning on painting both floors? Any suggestions?
Hardwood floors in bath and laundry rooms
February 16, 2006
Hardwood Durability, Humidity and Wood Floors Comments Off
Oct 302005
Would you please advise me of the ratings for hardwoods as far as durability is concerned?
Oct 132005
My son is in a power wheelchair. To get to his room he needs to cross the den and I would like to replace it with wood. I’m understanding that the laminating would be easier to keep from getting damaged. Please let me know if a laminated one would work better than a hardwood one. It will get a lot of wear and tear.
Floors and wheelchairs
October 13, 2005
Choose Hardwood or ______?, Hardwood Durability, Installation, Laminate, Other Types of Flooring Comments Off
Oct 072005
I am building a new house and I am interested in wider boards of about 5 inches but I have heard these can have problems with cupping? Is this true and if it is, is there a way to avoid the problem?
Wide boards
October 7, 2005
Care & Maintenance of Wood Floors, Hardwood Durability, Humidity and Wood Floors, Protecting Wood Floors Comments Off
Jul 302005
Would American Cherry hold up in a high traffic kitchen area? Would this be a good choice?
American Cherry in a high traffic kitchen
July 30, 2005
Hardwood Durability, Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
