Durability & Life Expectancy

Both solid and engineered hardwoods are among the longest lasting flooring options and, with proper care may never need replacement. However, hardwood is susceptible to scratching, especially in high traffic areas, or in households with children or pets. Different types of wood are more durable than others. If you want a floor that stands up to heavy use, choose a species equal to or harder than oak, such as maple, Brazilian cherry, or ash. Another option is to choose a floor with a distressed visual that simulates an aged look, or a handscraped product .

Typical Warranties

Prefinished hardwood floors typically carry a lifetime warranty on structural integrity. Finish warranties can range from three to 25 years. If you're looking for the best warranty protection, prefinished floors are warranted to last longer than site-finished floors–typically 15 to 25 years, versus three to five years. This is because factory-applied urethane finishes are much tougher and longer lasting than site-applied finishes.