Hardwood floors continue to be incredibly popular. They are aesthetically pleasing, gorgeous really and instantly make the place look ‘homelier’. Homes with hardwood floors tend to sell faster than those without. Here are the pros and cons of hardwood floors as you consider purchasing a place, renting or even redecorating.
Pros
1. Gorgeous and Inviting
Hardwood floors are beautiful and have a way of making any room look good. Their warm colours give the room a natural look that’s clean, simple, warm and inviting. There is also a wide variety of styles to choose from.
2. Durable & Timeless
Hardwood floors are a long-term investment with well-maintained floors lasting even more than a hundred years. Other types of flooring need to be replaced every 10 or 20 years, not so with wood floors which are guaranteed to outlive you. Hardwood floors are also always in fashion, a timeless style that is not likely to fall to the wayside as trends change. Even when they’re worn down they can be brought back to life with a little care. They can be sanded and refinished multiple times making them good as new every 10 years or so.
3. Easy maintenance and hygiene
Hardwood floors are easy to care for and clean. They are good to go with just vacuuming or mopping and don’t attract too much debris, dust or dirt because of the non-electromagnetic nature of wood flooring. Spills on other types of flooring like carpet may be disastrous but with wood floors, you just wipe and let it dry. They are easy to clean but may also require more frequent cleaning because they show dirt or dust easily. They are not damaged and do not suffer from wear and tear because of regular cleaning. If you go the extra mile and use cleaner or polish at least once a month, you can make them shine.
The fact that they do not trap dust or irritants makes them great for people with allergies and children who are susceptible to allergies. Wood flooring also does not nurture parasites, fleas, spores, or dust mites and does not trap unpleasant odours making them great for the air quality at home.
4. Better for Babies
The ease of cleaning and maintenance and the fact that they don’t trap dirt makes them great for babies. It is harmless and non-toxic and great for babies who are learning how to crawl.
5. Easy Installation
They are easy to install although you should always use a professional and they can be removed just as easily for you to take with you if you are relocating.
6. Improves the value of your home
Houses with wooden flooring tend to be sold faster and at higher prices. They portray a class and elegance that makes people gravitate towards it and be willing to pay top dollar.
Cons
1. Cost
Hardwood floors are prohibitively costly. They are more expensive than other types of flooring including carpets and tiles.
2. Wear
Despite the fact hardwood floors remain functional for long periods, they are prone to wear and tear and will need refinishing to deal with the worn look. Hardwood floors show blemishes more as compared to softwood flooring. Refinishing apart from being an extra cost has the added disadvantage of creating dust from sanding and fumes from the polyurethane coating. They can be high-maintenance especially when it comes to polishing areas that are frequently used.
3. Frequent cleaning
The dirt or dust is easily visible which means more cleaning. This contributes to them being viewed as high maintenance.
4. Noisy
In the beginning, when the floor’s still new, hardwood floors are noisy free solid ground. However, after decades of constant wear and tear from excessive movement, they can produce clicking and creaking sounds as you walk. This can be a great nuisance for any downstairs neighbours. Other sounds are also louder with hard surface floors. There are no secrets and no sneaking up on anyone in a house with hardwood floors. Adding rugs helps muffle the sounds and also provides added warmth to the room.
5. Prone to termite attack
Termites feed on wood which can be disastrous for your floor. Choose the right type of wood and/or use treated wood to avoid such problems.
6. Prone to water damage
Water seepage will damage the wood. Clean the floors with water but do not soak the floor in it. This is why areas like bathrooms and kitchens with a high risk of spillage should not have hardwood floors. Water seepage will lead to mould and fungus infestation which will necessitate replacement which is an added cost. You should also avoid harsh detergents on hardwood floors.
7. Less pet friendly
Pets like cats and dogs will hate your floors. Hardwood floors make it difficult for their padded little feet to grip the surface so they slip and slide every time they pick up speed.
There’s a lot to consider here from the cost and the wonderful aesthetics to the high maintenance and the elevated value of your property from the benefits for your baby to the disadvantages for your cat or dog. Here’s hoping this has been helpful as you make your decision.
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