What is the toughest hardwood floor?

Generally speaking, the hardest wood for flooring is Ipe (or Lapacho). However, this is very hard to find, due to its rarity. This also makes it a very expensive flooring product. Therefore, more widely available, and hardwearing are Hickory and Maple flooring.

What wood 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.

Which hardwood is the hardest?

Janka Rating System

The hardest commercially available hardwood is hickory, and it is five times harder than aspen, one of the “soft” hardwoods.

What is the toughest flooring?

Concrete is the most durable floor you can have in your home. Concrete floors are typically stained to order and can look quite lovely.

What hardwood floor finish is most durable?

Polyurethane is actually the most durable hardwood floor finish.

Does oak flooring scratch easily?

Hardwoods such as oak, maple or birch are denser, so they resist scratches better than softwoods. These woods are ideal in high-traffic areas, such as your kitchen or living room, where furniture is often slid across or dropped on the floor.

Which is more durable hardwood or engineered hardwood?

Engineered hardwood planks are built differently. … So, if you have a building with a basement level, and you still want a hardwood floor to enhance the appearance of the area, an engineered hardwood floor will be a much more durable choice than a solid hardwood or a laminate.

Is oak or hickory harder?

Hardness and Durability

As the hardest domestic wood, hickory obviously outshines both red and white oak in terms of durability. Softer woods may dent or scratch beneath careless footfalls, but hickory is more likely to withstand the abuse. This makes it an ideal choice in homes with a lot of activity and traffic.


What wood is harder than oak?

Maple is harder than oak.

Harder woods can be susceptible to decay, while softer wood resists it. Where you use the hardwood is more important than its density and hardness. Differing sub-species of each variety also play an important role when considering the choices between oak and maple.

What is the most durable wood?

Hickory: The Hardest American Wood Species. Hickory is the most durable wood species grown domestically with a Janka rating around 1820.

What is the longest lasting flooring material?

Porcelain and ceramic are some of the longest lasting flooring materials available, and they require little maintenance. Tile flooring is also moisture resistant, making it the perfect choice for areas where spills are common like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

What is the longest lasting floor?

The 6 Most Durable Flooring Options for Your Home
  • 1 #1: Porcelain Tile.
  • 2 #2: Vinyl Plank (aka Luxury Vinyl)
  • 3 #3: Sheet Vinyl.
  • 4 #4: Hardwood.
  • 5 #5: Laminate.
  • 6 #6: Bamboo.
  • 7 Conclusion.

What is the most popular flooring in new homes?

3 Most Popular Types of Home Flooring
  • LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) Pros. LVT has become our most popular choice for home flooring, and for many good reasons. …
  • Hardwood. Pros. Another popular option, modern hardwood flooring is now available in both solid and engineered woods. …
  • Carpet. Pros.

How do I make my hardwood floor scratch resistant?

How to prevent scratches in your hardwood flooring
  1. Take off your shoes! …
  2. Add entry mats at the door. …
  3. Add felt pads to the furniture, and get extras. …
  4. Avoid chairs with rollers. …
  5. Clean regularly to get the dirt/grit up. …
  6. Avoid spiky shoes, stilettos, and cleats. …
  7. Consider area rugs for areas where chairs are moved often.

What is Swedish finish on hardwood floors?

“Swedish finish” is simply a nice-sounding name for a conversion varnish, which cures by chemical reaction. Unlike most finishes, which form a layer on top of the hardwood, a Swedish finish actually chemically bonds with the wood—a “conversion” process that results in an especially hard finish.

What is the most durable polyurethane for hardwood floors?

The best and most durable finish for water based polyurethane is Bona Traffic HD and for oil based poly, Duraseal. What is this? The steps generally get the most traffic and wear and tear (along with hallways), so it’s even more important to have a high grade finish in these areas.