Determining the Hardwood Flooring Durability You Need

Homeowners considering hardwood floors for their interiors are often drawn to those options or species that boast superior "strength." But usually, what we mean by strength ultimately comes down to various factors that can impact hardwood flooring durability. Wear resistance, waterproofing, hardness, and similar qualities all play a part in determining what floor is best for our homes. We look at the various factors and how your flooring options address them.

Wear Resistance

Wear resistance refers to the ability of a floor to withstand the wear and tear common to busy households. Homeowners want to be sure that the floor won't be damaged and can still perform after years of use by family and friends.

All pre-finished hardwood floors from LL Flooring, for example, feature a protective coating called a wear layer that keeps your flooring looking its best and performing in peak condition. The wear layer is invisible, so it won't diminish the richness of your hardwood's color and texturing.

In addition, while solid hardwood flooring is known to last, homeowners should be aware that engineered hardwood likewise offers a veneer of natural hardwood that offers impressive toughness. Engineered hardwood boards feature multiple layers of construction designed to provide stability and strength.

Waterproof Protection

Another key concern for many homeowners is the advantage of waterproof protection for their flooring, especially for kitchens and bathrooms, where spills and splashing can be expected. No matter how tough your hardwood is, wood is a natural product and, if exposed to it for a prolonged period, will eventually absorb water into its fibers, which can cause damage. Fortunately, it takes a while for even solid hardwood to absorb water, and homeowners can clean up most spills in plenty of time to prevent damage to boards and maintain the most durable hardwood flooring in their homes.

For homeowners who are especially interested in protection from water damage, AquaSeal offers engineered hardwood options that provide superior water resistance that protects your floors from the damage liquids can cause. These can be an excellent choice for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and mudrooms, where water is likely to collect. Or in any room of a busy home with more spills than the average home, like those with kids or pets.

Hardness Ratings Explained

It is true that different species of wood have different levels of hardness. For solid hardwoods, each species is assigned a hardness rating using the Janka hardness scale, which measures their relative hardness and ability to stand up to heavy foot traffic. The Janka hardness scale is a commonly used yardstick throughout the industry. The higher the rating, the harder the wood typically is. Exotic woods such as Brazilian walnut (3680 average Janka rating) and short-leaf acacia (2250) are at the higher end of the scale. In contrast, red oak is the Janka baseline (1290) and a species like southern yellow pine (870) offers a softer performance.

Engineered Core Options

Engineered hardwood is designed to provide superior performance while featuring the same warmth and appeal as solid hardwood. It achieves this by tightly bonding together different layers of materials. Beneath the wear layer and the hardwood veneer sits the core layer. This core layer provides enhanced strength and stability.

Common engineered hardwood core types include plywood, lumber, MDF, and stone-plastic composite (SPC). Each material has its unique properties and benefits.

• A plywood core is made of layers of plywood compressed in a crisscross pattern for increased strength. This helps increase the structural integrity of the flooring.
• Lumber cores are strips of lumber that are edge-glued into a solid slab. This brings strength and integrity to the flooring and helps make longer and wider planks possible.
• MDF is made of wood fibers that are compressed with resin and glue under extreme heat and pressure. This process makes the board stronger and more stable and helps reduce reactivity to high humidity.
• Finally, an SPC core combines stone dust and plastic, adding to the flooring’s resiliency and stability under temperature and moisture changes. On top of that, an SPC core is water resistant, helping your floor better withstand household splashes—whether that's spills in your kitchen or dripping umbrellas in your foyer.

Consider Your Needs

Ultimately, there is no "best" hardwood floor; there's simply a best hardwood floor for your space. Consider how the various rooms in your home are used and what flooring they need. Also, remember that wider boards can make a room feel larger, while narrower boards can give a room greater intimacy.

Living rooms and media rooms might be popular rooms for hanging out, but they aren't likely to see much splashing or spills, so a floor that stands up to use, but one that isn't necessarily optimized for water resistance, might be a good choice. Bedrooms are cozier, more intimate spaces, so a softer wood might be your best choice. Kitchens and bathrooms, on the other hand, might benefit from tougher floors that offer enhanced protection from water damage.

Learn and Discover

Intrigued and want to learn more? Explore a host of in-depth guides and other inspirations from LL Flooring and find new ways to make your flooring stand out in all the right ways.