Scratches go across plank joints

Locally caused scratches

Scratch resistant does not mean scratch proof

Abrasions

scratch

Abrasions

Scratches

Something dragged across the floor

Scratches

Something dragged across the floor

This protector will damage any floor

Protector has shifted and ineffective

The felt protector is useless

Protectors need periodic replacement

Broken chair protector

Plastic protectors can damage hard surface flooring

Improper chair protector can damage flooring

Hard plastic casters can damage hard surface flooring

Chairs with small point loads causing indentations

SPC indentation from chairs

SPC indentation

bottom of chairs causing indentation

Scratches, Indentations, and Surface Abrasions (Resilient Flooring)

Floor Detective® Claims and Conditions Guide

Summary

Scratches, indentations, scuffing, gouging, and surface abrasion in resilient flooring are appearance-related conditions caused by friction, sliding contact, rolling load interaction, concentrated pressure, or abrasive particulate exposure acting on the floor surface during service life. Many resilient flooring products incorporate factory-applied urethane or enhanced-performance coatings intended to improve scratch resistance, stain resistance, and long-term appearance retention; however, no resilient surface is immune from damage when applied force, contact geometry, or abrasive exposure exceeds surface resistance characteristics. Surface marking may range from light reflectivity change or superficial scuffing to deeper wear-layer penetration, compression deformation, gouging, or localized material disruption. Visibility is strongly influenced by gloss level, surface texture, embossing profile, plank color, lighting direction, and reflective sightlines within the occupied space. These conditions reflect interaction between the flooring surface and external forces, abrasive contaminants, rolling loads, or maintenance exposure rather than inherent structural flooring-system failure. Proper evaluation requires correlation of surface morphology, depth, distribution pattern, traffic exposure, contact geometry, environmental conditions, and documented use conditions rather than appearance alone. Surface marking alone does not independently establish manufacturing nonconformance. See also Gloss Variation Resilient Plank, Resilient Flooring Maintenance, and LVT and SPC Floor Problems for broader context.

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