The Best Hardwood Flooring That Resists Scratching

Flooring Types

• Hardwood flooring is available in solid wood or engineered wood. Solid-wood flooring is cut as a solid piece and is available in either unfinished or factory-finished types that can be refinished many times. Engineered wood is made of up to nine plies of wood veneer laminated together. Engineered floors are more resistant to moisture and temperature changes than solid wood, but cannot be refinished as many times as solid-wood floors when they become dull or scratched.

Hardness

• Wood flooring is rated for hardness according to the Janka Hardness Test, based on the force needed to embed a steel ball into the wood. The higher the number, the harder the wood. Although the test is not a measure of the wood’s scratch-resistance, the harder woods are more resistant to gouges, dents and deep scratches. According to this scale, the wood with one of the highest hardness readings is Brazilian cherry, with a score of 2350. Other woods often chosen for flooring include mahogany (2200), hickory (1820), maple (1450), white oak (1360), red oak (1290) and heart pine (1225).

Finishes

• The finish that is applied to a hardwood floor protects it from scratches. Flooring with a factory-applied finish has a durable surface. Some floors also have acrylic monomers injected into the wood to make it harder. Aluminum oxide or ceramics added to a urethane finish increase resistance to abrasion. Six to 10 coats of polyurethane are applied to factory-finished wood flooring, giving it a good scratch-resistant surface. For floors finished on-site, oil-based urethane provides a hard surface that is resistant to chipping and peeling. Water-based urethane is durable, moisture-resistant and does not yellow with age. Moisture-cured finishes are generally applied by professionals. This is the hardest finish and is more durable and moisture-resistant than the other finishes.

Protection

• Although a urethane finish provides scratch-resistance for hardwood flooring, it is impossible to avoid all scratches. Placing felt pads on chair and table legs and keeping your dog’s claws trimmed help to reduce scratching. Put mats at entryways to catch sand and grit before it is deposited on your floors. Most scratches to your floor are surface scratches that can be removed when the floor is refinished. Scratches are more noticeable on very dark or light woods. Scratches are also more prominent on higher-gloss finishes. Choosing medium-toned woods and applying a satin finish will not prevent scratches, but they will be less noticeable.