Flooring is a design choice that has the ability to dramatically change the entire look of your home. There are many options readily available such as carpet, tile, vinyl, laminate and hardwood flooring. If you are leaning towards wood flooring and want to know its pros and cons, then you are in the right place. In today’s article, we will focus on telling you about the advantages and disadvantages of installing hardwood floors in your home or office.
A wooden floor is a product, which is typically made from timber. These floors are usually designed to give structural stability to your home. At the same time, people choose wooden floors for the aesthetic appeal they provide their homes – so that the value of the property is increased. Wood flooring consists of both solid hardwood, engineered hardwood and laminate. Wood is available in a wide range of species, styles, and colors and while many want the look and character of wood, it can be quite expensive, so laminate provides a more affordable and DIY option.
So, without further ado, let us jump into our main topic – i.e. the pros and cons of wood flooring. Continue reading!
Advantages of Hardwood Flooring
The main advantage of wood flooring is its long-life. If maintained correctly, wooden floors can last centuries. They can be sanded and refinished many times to manipulate or rejuvenate their look. For you, it may seem like a big initial investment but with the passage of time, you will realize the benefit of having them as you won’t need to replace them very often. Damage can be repaired without having the replace the whole floor.
Hardwood floors are also fairly easy to keep clean as they don’t collect or trap much dirt or pet dander and can be swept, mopped and vacuumed. Because of this they, also provide a better air quality for people with certain allergies and breathing issues.
Wood floors, especially when compared to carpet, add value to your home. Buyers tend to pay 3-5% more for houses with wood floors as it will save them the expense of replacing old, dirty carpet anyway. It is the preferred choice of Gen X’ers and Millennials.
Disadvantages of Wooden Floors
First and foremost, wood is expensive as compared to tile or carpet. Therefore, if you are living on a budget, then solid hardwood might not be a suitable option for you.
Usually, wooden floors are installed over sub-flooring, which makes the process of installation quite complicated. At the same time, if you are hiring a professional handyman or flooring contractor to get the job done, you might still will have to pay a good bit of money.
This flooring choice can also be quite noisy when walking across it, which could be especially troublesome if you live in an apartment. Placing area rugs in strategic places could help block sound and also act as a cushion for children or adults prone to falls.
Wood floors are prone to major water damage from floods or even small leaks or liquid spills, if not cleaned up immediately. For this reason, it’s not recommended to clean them using traditional mops or to be installed in bathrooms, laundry rooms or basements prone to flooding.
No matter how robust and quality wooden material you have installed, your wooden floor will always run the risk of getting termites in it. And lastly, your wooden floor is prone to scratches and dents. So, it is important that you take care when walking in high heeled shoes or have pets with long claws.
Call Classic Handyman @ 847-651-5847 for more tips and help on deciding what kind, if any, wood floors are right for you!
