This myth is common due to the ‘clever’ marketing of some prefinished flooring companies. They found that if they guarantee this, they will sell more products and not many consumers will bother with their very limited and qualified warranty (abundant fine print). smart for them? Maybe.
Realistically though…dragging a sharp metal tipped object while applying significant weight to the floor surface will scratch any finish, no matter how hard the finish is. Even a porcelain tile will scratch if subjected to such pressure. However, this is not what floors are normally subjected to.
However, a professionally refinished hardwood floor should hold up well to normal foot traffic, even if you’re an active family with pets. Over the years, “high traffic” areas may show a change in gloss, but this does not necessarily mean the finish is about to wear off.
One will always see in direct sunlight over time what we call ‘microabrasion’. These are very fine abrasions on the top surface of the finish. Virtually all floors will show signs of this as we live and walk on them, regardless of the quality of the finish. This is to be expected.
Lifestyles vary. There are home environments where large, energetic dogs are given free rein to run.
Maybe your family is like that. Others may have a family member in a wheelchair or one who uses a walker or crutches. Or maybe your family doesn’t take off their shoes inside your house, and that’s okay. Your hardwood flooring contractor should ask you about your lifestyle before recommending a finish so you can find one that suits your needs properly. This is a sure sign of a professional.
In the cases mentioned above, where a floor is subject to a lot of foot traffic, you’ll definitely want more than just a standard oil-based finish. We highly recommend investing in a commercial grade catalyzed waterborne finishing system or ultimately the WearMax Advanced Ceramic Finishing System, ensuring maximum durability and longevity for your floors.