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Since
the early eighties prefinished hardwood
manufacturers have been steadily
increasing the duration of finish
warranties on their products. One has to
wonder, why? Yes finishes have improved
with the advent of improved finish
technology. The question really is; are 50
year warranties realistic?
In a nutshell, no. It’s become more of a
marketing ploy than anything. Twenty years
ago major prefinished manufacturers did
not offer warranties past 3-5 years. Sure
the finishes have improved, but what’s in
these finishes that make it so attractive
to boost the warranty period up to a half
a century?
In the mid nineties aluminum oxide
finishes hit the flooring business. We saw
it in laminate, hardwood, even vinyl and
ceramic tile flooring. It suddenly became
the best thing since sliced bread in the
flooring business. Retailers were armed
with all sorts of cool tricks to show the
public how durable the finishes were. From
rubbing steel wool on the surfaces to
scratching with a quarter.
Impressive to say the least, but they
weren’t completely indestructible.
Aluminum oxide finishes are impressive,
but one should read the fine print in any
warranty getting the full gist of what is
covered. Sales of the new finish
technology took off like a rocket. It was
an easy sell for salespeople and it
worked, until some complaints started
trickling in.
Some finishes were too rough for everyday
life. Aluminum oxide crystals in the early
days were contained on the actual surface
of practically all products. Socks were
getting worn out from everyday foot
traffic and young children’s knees took a
beating. Manufacturers made adjustments by
applying the new finishes sandwiched in
between other types of finishes.
Like many things in life it’s not a
perfect world. Reports do indicate
aluminum oxide finishes are the most
durable on the market for prefinished
floors specifically hardwood. However
anything in a perfect world eventually
gets spoiled. Finishes do have a tendency
to shatter microscopically when items are
dropped. Aluminum oxides type finishes
also do not expand and contract with the
underlying hardwood very well causing
distressing in the finish itself.
Other items to consider with 50 year
finish warranties also include:
Will
the manufacturer be around to make good on
it? As quickly as today’s business world
changes, new and old come and go, or get
swallowed up by others. Styles and trends
change. A new suitor may just close the
doors when consumers find something new.
Your warranty is basically gone.
Who lives in the same home 50 years? I
don’t know of anybody really. Warranties
are also non transferable. For example.
Say your nephew buys your home after
twenty years. The warranty is now void
because it only covers the original owner.
Who Keeps Maintenance Records?
This
can be vital in assessing whether a
warranty is still good. Read the fine
print. Manufacturers do not want you to
use certain cleaners. Even if only two
years pass as an example, and you’ve
applied something to the flooring against
the manufacturer guidelines your warranty
is likely to be void.
Conclusion- After spending time putting
this article together I have come to
realize some manufacturers really know the
tricks. What’s next on the horizon?
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