Hardwood flooring is a sure show stopper, ain’t it? Well if you are reading this, then it means either you are looking to buy a house and that has hardwood flooring or you are looking to upgrade your flooring and are looking for options. Whatever be your reasons, you have landed at the correct place for an unbiased report on various pros and cons of using hardwood flooring in your home.
Hardwood flooring is very elegant and beautiful, something that can fit both the traditional home decor or the classy modern looks. Hardwood flooring has a natural warmth to it and it is but natural for every house owner to be attracted to it and desire for natural hardwood flooring in their house. However all good things come with a few riders. Read up on the pros and cons of hardwood flooring to see if Hardwood is for you.
Pros of Using Hardwood Flooring
Long-Lasting because the quality is A1
Hardwood flooring, if cared for properly will last you for a couple of generations. It is not uncommon for hardwood flooring to last for 100’s of years. Hardwood is extremely durable.
Investment in hardwood might seem a lot initially, however unlike other floorings that might need to be replaced after 10-20 years, hardwoods can last for centuries with little care.
Classic looks
Hardwood flooring is an ageless beauty that has stood the test of time. The exude class. They are suited for your old traditional looking decor or the new modern decor. Hardwoods don’t look old or worn out like other floorings. Carpets or other flooring might start showing age very soon. Nothing beats the feeling and looks of hardwood in your living room or bed room.
Variety of flooring
One can choose from a variety of different wood and shades. These vary in costs too. You could choose depending on the availability or your budget. Available options include
- Brazilian cherry
- Brazilian Walnut
- Tigerwood
- Oak (Red and White)
- Australian Cypress
- Teak
- Brazilian Chestnut
- Hickory
- Santos Mahogany
Organic
Hardwood flooring is as organic as organic can get. No plastics, no vinyl, etc. Hardwoods are increasingly becoming popular among those who are looking to build a sustainable house. They are perfectly biodegradable. They are also very easy to clean and maintain and hence their environmental impact is low over their lifetime.
Good For Babies
Hardwood flooring is organic and nontoxic. Something that parents like for their babies. Babies that have just learned to crawl around or walk, would love the natural feel of wood. Wood flooring is not so cold and hard like ceramic nor extra soft like carpet. Hardwood offers a very safe option for kids around. No dust and molds like carpets, nor losing small little things under the carpet.
Acoustic
You would have noticed that most of the theaters and concert halls have wood flooring, the reason is that hardwood floors are a great option for acoustics. They help stop echo, hollow sounds and vibrations.
Cons of Using hardwood flooring
Moisture and Humidity
Hardwoods are prone to moisture and humidity like all wood things. Hence special care needs to be taken not to keep liquids off the floor. Cleaning the floor also needs slightly special care.
You need to be careful of leaks and spills. Also, extremely wet or dry weather can affect your floor.
Cost
Hardwood flooring is not one of the cheapest. There is a varied range however, hardwood flooring is definitely an investment. Hardwood flooring also needs expert installation.
However having said that hardwood as mentioned earlier, can last a long time and adds value to your home. Homes with hardwood floors demand a premium price.
I hope this article on the pros and cons of hardwood flooring can help you decide if hardwood is right for your home or not. Please share your thoughts in the comments.