5 myths about wood floors debunked

Wood floors are one of the most beautiful and timeless flooring
products on the market. They are also a product plagued by misunderstandings and myths. We’ve heard a few of them from time to time, and have even seen the result of a wood flooring myth gone wrong. That’s why we compiled this list of wood flooring myths so you can install wood floors with your “eyes wide open.”

Engineered wood floors are ‘fake’ wood floors

Not true! Engineered wood floors are layers of real wood, and, depending on the product, can even be sanded down and refinished. Because of the way it is constructed, engineered wood floors can even be installed in a basement or over radiant floor heating.

Steam cleaning is the best way to clean my wood floors

If you’ve watched TV, you’ve undoubtedly seen ads for steam cleaners. Steam cleaners are a great way to clean hard floors, and some ads suggest that steam is a great way to clean your wood floors. Their claim is contrary to the common knowledge that moisture and wood don’t mix, so we checked three of the most common wood flooring manufacturers and found that Armstrong, Mohawk and Shaw do not recommend that their customers use a steam cleaner of their wood products. Before purchasing a steam cleaner for cleaning your wood flooring, consult your manual to see if your warranty will be void if you use a steam cleaner.

My wood floors shouldn’t have gaps

Wood floors expand and contract with the humidity, so it is normal to have some small gaps in the floor when humidity is low, such as during winter. For the same reason, be selective about what rooms you install wood floors in. Rooms with high humidity, such as laundry rooms and bathrooms, are not ideal for hardwood floors.

Wood floors do not scratch or dent

Hardwood does not mean ‘too hard to damage.’ Hardwood floors can scratch or dent. If you are worried about the scratches and dents being too noticeable, consider hand scraped wood floors which hide the scratches and dents that come with a busy household.

You can use anything to clean your wood floors

Wood floor cleaning is not a time to experiment. Some cleaners—even with common household ingredients—can damage your wood floor finish or the flooring itself. You’ve invested too much into your wood flooring to harm it on a whim. A few minutes of research can save you a lot of time, money and heart ache. If you don’t what kind of wood floor cleaner to use, ask the experts at Y’s Way via email or on Facebook.