Despite the industry hype, no vinyl or laminate floor is truly scratchproof or dentproof. Similarly, no hardwood floor is guaranteed to last for decades due to a superior finish. It’s true, some floors hold up better than others, but no product is immune to wear and tear.
Big Claims: If you’ve ever been tempted by flooring advertised as scratchproof, dentproof, or something similar, you’re not alone. These claims sound comforting, especially when you’re making a big investment in your home. But the reality is more complicated than the marketing suggests. As someone who’s been in the flooring business for 40+ years, I can confirm that no flooring material is invincible.
Instead of chasing the mythical “scratchproof” floor, focus on habits that extend your floor’s lifespan. Take off your shoes. Add rugs. Use felt pads under furniture legs and don't drag heavy items. If you have pets with sharp nails or children playing on the floor, it will have an impact. Yes, floors can offer some kind of scratch resistance, but every product has a limit. Don't believe in "lifetime" scratch warranties or any flooring warranties for that matter—they're not worth the paper they're written on.
When I was a small child my mom gave me a plastic cup to use because she was worried about me breaking a glass. I hurled the plastic cup at the floor and still managed to break it. Think of your floor the same way.
Buy the flooring that best fits your lifestyle, understand its strengths and weaknesses, and care for it accordingly. Ignore the industry fairy tales — they make for entertaining marketing, but in real life, everything is breakable.
If you have any questions about scratch-resistant floors or how floors differ on durability, give us a call at 401-214-0285 or visit our showroom. We serve customers throughout Rhode Island and southeastern New England, including Newport, Middletown, Jamestown, Portsmouth, Bristol and more.
About Ken: Ken Fain is the co-owner of Island Carpet in Middletown, RI and a floorcovering veteran of more than 40 years. His popular 'Ask Ken' video series answers common flooring questions on a variety of topics. It has reached thousands of viewers on both YouTube and Facebook.
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