Why Hardwood

Hardwood vs
look-alikes

You can see and feel the difference; synthetic materials can never fully replicate the sense of warmth, style, quality, and durability of Real American Hardwood products.

Why Hardwood
Real American Hardwood is the natural choice when compared to alternatives.

The hardknock truths

Let’s separate fact from fiction. Take the Hardwood Quiz and learn the real differences between Real American Hardwood and imitation flooring.
01
The Real IQ
Which one can take on various stains & finishes?
Real Hardwood
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
OR
Vinyl
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
02
The Real IQ
Which material has more diversity in look feel and grain pattern?
Real Hardwood
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
OR
Bamboo
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
03
The Real IQ
Which material can be sanded and refinished to make it look new again?
Real Hardwood
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
OR
Laminate
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
04
The Real IQ
Which material has a longer life span?
Real Hardwood
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
OR
Vinyl
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
05
The Real IQ
Which material is a better insulator?
Real Hardwood
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
OR
Tile
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
06
The Real IQ
Which material can emit unhealthy amounts of volatile organic compounds, which can harm the Earth, humans & our pets?
Real Hardwod
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
OR
Luxury Vinyl Tile
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
07
The Real IQ
Which material has a higher resale value for your home?
Real Hardwood
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
OR
Tile
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
08
The Real IQ
Which material must be replaced when it starts to look worn or dull?
Real Hardwood
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
OR
Laminate
Correct!
Sorry, that’s incorrect :(
1
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total
Real hardwood flooring versus look-alike flooring
Hardwood vs 
Laminate
01
Real Hardwood

There is nothing quite like the timeless look of a high-quality real hardwood floor. It is effortlessly attractive with prestige and class. Any species of real hardwood stands apart from any look-alike.

02
Laminate

Laminate flooring is doing its best to impersonate hardwood flooring, but is no comparison to the real thing. A closer look uncovers repeating patterns and an artificial feel.

01
Real Hardwood

When taken care of, a lifetime of steps on a hardwood floor can last for generations. With periodic refinishing, hardwood floors truly stand the test of time.

02
Laminate

Laminate flooring can last 10-25 years, but vary depending on quality.

01
Real Hardwood

Hardwood floors are durable and elegant without aging a room. Not only can they withstand generations of memories, but it’s also an excellent investment with high resale value.

02
Laminate

Laminate floors are nothing to brag about when selling a home, and unlike hardwood flooring, they cannot be sanded down to rejuvenate their appearance. Not a great long-term investment.

01
Real Hardwood

Hardwood floors are free from toxins and their associated health risks. As a hypoallergenic flooring option, hardwood floors help limit dust build-up and improve air indoor quality.

02
Laminate

A safety concern with laminate flooring is that it contains formaldehyde and other chemicals. The formaldehyde smell lingers long after installation, and the chemicals absorb into the air you breathe. Yuck.

01
Real Hardwood

Hardwood is highly sustainable, and after a lifetime of use, hardwood floors are recycled into millions of valuable and beautiful objects.

02
Laminate

While some parts of laminate floors are made of recycled materials, it cannot be recycled at the end of its use as flooring. This means it is destined for the landfill.

01
Real Hardwood

There is nothing quite like the timeless look of a high-quality solid hardwood floor. It is effortlessly attractive with prestige and class. Any species of real hardwood stands apart from any lookalike.

02
Vinyl

At first glance, luxury vinyl flooring can look like it's made out of real hardwood, but with a closer look, you’ll notice the repeated grain patterns and feel.

01
Real Hardwood

When taken care of, a lifetime of steps on a hardwood floor can last for generations. With periodic refinishing, hardwood floors truly stand the test of time.

02
Vinyl

The lifespan of vinyl flooring is 5 to 10 times shorter than that of hardwood, and if damaged, it can’t be repaired; the affected area or the entire floor must be replaced.

01
Real Hardwood

Hardwood floors are durable and elegant without aging a room. Not only can they withstand generations of memories, but it’s also an excellent investment with high resale value.

02
Vinyl

Compared to hardwood, vinyl flooring has low or no impact on the resale value of a house.

01
Real Hardwood

Hardwood floors are free from toxins and their associated health risks. As a hypoallergenic flooring option, hardwood floors help limit dust build-up and improve air quality.

02
Vinyl

Vinyl floors are sometimes perceived as being a healthier choice than hardwood. But it uses toxic chemicals that can be released into the air during installation or mopping.

01
Real Hardwood

As a carbon-neutral product, hardwood is highly sustainable, and after a lifetime of use, hardwood floors are recycled into millions of valuable and beautiful objects.

02
Vinyl

Vinyl is not a very sustainable product. It contains PVC, which is made from a range of toxic chemicals. These chemicals are often released during the manufacturing process and when their products are disposed of in landfills or incinerated.

01
Real Hardwood

There is nothing quite like the timeless look of a high-quality solid hardwood floor. It is effortlessly attractive with prestige and class. Any species of real hardwood stands apart from any lookalike.

02
Tile

Tiles are undeniably beautiful, but if you read between the tiles, you’ll find the problem is in the grout. Because grout is cement-based, it stains, crumbles, and gets moldy.

01
Real Hardwood

When taken care of, a lifetime of steps on a hardwood floor can last for generations. With periodic refinishing, hardwood floors truly stand the test of time.

02
Tile

Properly installed and well-maintained tiles can last over 20 years, but not in pristine conditions because tiles can chip, crack and stain.

01
Real Hardwood

Hardwood floors are durable and elegant without aging a room. Not only can they withstand generations of memories, but it’s also an excellent investment with high resale value.

02
Tile

Even though Tiles can last for a long time, when it comes to long-term resale value, they may not hold up, partly because tile styles often go out of fashion with time, and their appearance deteriorates.

01
Real Hardwood

Hardwood floors are free from toxins and their associated health risks. As a hypoallergenic flooring option, hardwood floors help limit dust build-up and improve air quality.

02
Tile

Tile flooring can go from uncomfortable when it gets cold to dangerous when it gets slippery. Also, tile grouts are conducive to moldiness- not the healthiest trait.

01
Real Hardwood

As a carbon-neutral product, hardwood is highly sustainable, and after a lifetime of use, hardwood floors are recycled into millions of valuable and beautiful objects.

02
Tile

Even though tiles come from natural sources such as clay, sand, and rocks, the energy spent extracting raw materials, the harmful effects of quarries, and the air and water pollutants created when finishing the product make it less sustainable than you might think.

01
Real Hardwood

There is nothing quite like the timeless look of a high-quality solid hardwood floor. It is effortlessly attractive with prestige and class. Any species of real hardwood stands apart from any lookalike.

02
Bamboo

There is a unique look that comes with bamboo flooring. However, bamboo is very particular, and the limited styles don’t match every interior style.

01
Real Hardwood

When taken care of, a lifetime of steps on a hardwood floor can last for generations. With periodic refinishing, hardwood floors truly stand the test of time.

02
Bamboo

While bamboo may seem strong, it has a soft spot for moisture and scratches. It absorbs water leaving it susceptible to damage, and something as simple as a soccer cleat or drop of a toy can scratch it.

01
Real Hardwood

Hardwood floors are durable and elegant without aging a room. Not only can they withstand generations of memories, but it’s also an excellent investment with high resale value.

02
Bamboo

Bamboo may look contemporary now, but it is not timeless. Bamboo is subject to trends and can look outdated, which can negatively affect the resale value of your home.

01
Real Hardwood

Hardwood floors are free from toxins and their associated health risks. As a hypoallergenic flooring option, hardwood floors help limit dust build-up and improve air quality.

02
Bamboo

Adhesives used in bamboo flooring can emit low levels of chemicals that can lead to eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and more serious concerns if the proper ventilation is not in place.

01
Real Hardwood

As a carbon-neutral product, hardwood is highly sustainable, and after a lifetime of use, hardwood floors are recycled into millions of valuable and beautiful objects.

02
Bamboo

Bamboo itself may be eco-friendly, but by the time it arrives from overseas, it will have generated a carbon footprint from its production and travel, which is not very sustainable.

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Furniture

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Furniture

Hardwood
  • Most minor scratches and superficial nicks can be healed with the help of a wood touch-up kit or sanding the scratch with a fine grade of paper, then re-staining with a matching color finish.
  • Deep scratches on furniture can be camouflaged by using colored wax sticks (available at hardware stores) or paste shoe polish applied with a cotton swab.
  • For deep scratches on sealed and waxed floors, rub oily nutmeat (Brazil nut, walnut or pecan) over the scratches, then apply a new coat of wax, buffed to a shine. For surface scratches, a simple wax and buff should do the trick
Look-alike Pieces
  • Most minor scratches and superficial nicks can be healed with the help of a wood touch-up kit or sanding the scratch with a fine grade of paper, then re-staining with a matching color finish.
  • Deep scratches on furniture can be camouflaged by using colored wax sticks (available at hardware stores) or paste shoe polish applied with a cotton swab.
  • For deep scratches on sealed and waxed floors, rub oily nutmeat (Brazil nut, walnut or pecan) over the scratches, then apply a new coat of wax, buffed to a shine. For surface scratches, a simple wax and buff should do the trick

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1

 

Furniture

Hardwood
  • Hardwood furniture's versatility, durability, and beauty are second-to-none, and with millions of designs and styles, it won't be hard to find the one built for you.
Look-alike
  • Look-alikes are not as resilient as real hardwood furniture and are not a great long-term purchase, as they only last up to a few years and are vulnerable to water damage.

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2

 

Moulding & Trims

Hardwood
  • Hardwood moulding is an investment, but altogether one that is worth it in the long-run.
  • It’s durable and can be customized to cover imperfections, decorate, and better insulate an area casually or luxuriously.
Look-alike
  • Alternative molding materials may be cheap, but "you get what you pay for."
  • Some other moulding materials are bound using chemicals and can swell if it encounters water or humidity.

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3

 

Cabinets

Hardwood
  • Cabinets are one of your home's most frequently used items. That's why durable surfaces like hardwood are a wise investment.
Look-alike
  • While laminate cabinets are easy to clean at first, they peel, weaken, and stain over time with regular use. Sooner rather than later, they will need to be replaced.

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4

 

Doors

Hardwood
  • Hardwood doors are more than just beautiful; they are incredibly energy efficient and soundproof.
  • They don't conduct heat or cold, they help dampen sounds, and with the abundance of different designs and finishes, there's one made for you.
Look-alike
  • Doors from other materials don’t stand a chance compared to hardwood. Other doors let the heat and cold escape, cannot be used outside, and, with time, can even crack.