It can be difficult to accurately estimate how long a hardwood floor will last because there are so many factors that can affect it. The state of the subfloor will help determine how long the floor lasts. The way you treat the floor will be important as well. Also, your definition of “lasting” will be important as well. In the era of distressed hardwood and rustic looks, what used to require a refinishing might now just be considered character.
The Subfloor
The subfloor is very integral to the health of your hardwood floor. A good subfloor needs to be made of a stable material that protects the floor from drastic changes in heat and humidity. oftens , the floor will have a vapor layer that is waterproof. It prevents moisture from passing through the subfloor and into the hardwood itself. When moisture seeps into hardwood, it causes the wood to swell and warp. It can also lead to mold, mildew, and pests that will slowly eat away at the hardwood.
Treating the Floor
Treating the floor well will extend its life. The most common dangers for hardwood floors are scratches and moisture. If you want to avoid that, you should make sure that your floor finish is always up to date. That could mean oiling or waxing the floor; if you have a polyurethane floor, you need to make sure that the finish is still healthy after about ten years or so. fIf you have pets, you need to keep their claws trimmed. A harder wood or a thicker finish will help protect against pet claws that would otherwise scratch the floor.
It can be difficult to determine just by touching or looking, but the hardness of hardwoods can be drastically different. Furthermore, those differences in hardness matter. Any substance that is harder than the wood of your floor has the potential to scratch it. A few examples of materials that could be harder than your floor are high heels, pet claws, chair legs, and heavy furniture. Protect your floor from these things if you want it to last longer.
Defining Quality
The definition of a floor being in good shape has changed drastically over the past few years. As distressed wood and rustic looks become more popular, wood that is chipped or scratched might actually be desirable. In the past, that might be something you repaired. Now, you could just highlight the lived-in look.