HARDWOOD FLOORS ARE EXPENSIVE
While wood floors do tend to cost more in the beginning, the long-term payoff actually makes it one of better options when considering cost-effectiveness. If they are installed properly, and if maintenance and cleaning are done on a regular basis, they can last hundreds of years, sometimes more!
Many other flooring types have to be replaced about five to ten times more often than wood floors, at a rate of about once every ten to twenty years. When you add these costs up, it’s easy to see how the longevity of wood pays off.
HARDWOOD FLOORS ARE EASILY SCRATCHED
Wear and tear will eventually begin to show on any type of flooring that you choose, and hardwood floors are not exempt from this fact. The difference, however, is that wood floors can be repaired, via refinishing, which can bring the like-new look back, as if nothing ever happened.
Additionally, it’s important to note that scratches are most often made to the protective coating and not the wood itself. In fact, if you choose a distressed or vintage look, or have a hand scraped finish applied, then you’re likely to go twice as long before ever actually being able to see scratches.
Another way to prevent scratches and other damage to your wood floors is by making use of area rugs and runners, using pads under furniture legs, clipping your pet's nails frequently, and not allowing high-heeled shoes or cleats on your hardwood floors.