If you are building a new house or an addition, you may find yourself weighing the pros and cons of hardwood flooring. As hardwood flooring specialists, we love hardwood, but we do understand it’s not for everyone or for every situation. We do, however, want to give an objective rundown of some of the top pros and cons of the flooring material so you may decide if installing a hardwood floor is right for you!
Top Reasons to Install Hardwood Flooring
1. Beauty and Elegance. Few people can deny the beauty of the hardwood floors available these days. With so many kinds of rich woods and finish colors to choose from, there is a flooring material that will enhance any décor and give your home a truly classic look.
2. An Investment in your home. Installing a hardwood floor comes at a premium price but think of it as an investment. If you are planning to sell your home, your hardwood floor will be perceived for its value and even help you fetch a better price in the end! The return on investment (ROI) of adding hardwood flooring to a home has been proven.
3. Healthy Air Quality. Hardwood does not harbor allergens like dust, mold, and pet dander which can often be present in carpet, unbeknownst to the homeowner. Doctors often suggest hardwood for floors for patients suffering from allergies. Any dust or dirt is more visible on hardwood for quicker cleanup.
4. Easy to Clean and Maintain. Spills of all substances are typically more easily cleaned from hardwood floors than from carpeting or other flooring. With a solid protective topcoat on your hardwood floor, all you usually need do is wet mop it to keep it clean. With the right maintenance, you floor can last for decades. Hardwood flooring is more sustainable too. Other materials must be periodically replaced, but hardwood floors can be renewed and even their color changed with a full re-sanding process.
5. Strong and Durable. Wood floors are tough. They take everything your children and pets can dish out as well as dropped items and spills. They are ideal for heavy traffic areas and will not peel up like vinyl flooring can, or easily break dropped items, like ceramic tile does.
So hardwood flooring can be an excellent choice. Nevertheless, there are definitely some situations where you may want to rethink the use of hardwood. Here are some reasons to reconsider.
Cons of Hardwood Floors
1. Cost. Depending on the type of hardwood and whether it is real or engineered, the cost of your flooring can be several dollars more per square foot than other types of flooring. In a large area this can become quite cost prohibitive depending on your budget.
2. Limited Recommended Useage. Since moisture can have detrimental effects on hardwood flooring, it is not recommended in areas where moisture is high or water leakage is probable, like bathrooms. Before you decide to install hardwood, consider how often the floor gets wet. A more waterproof material might be a better choice.
3. Scratches. Wood floors have a protective topcoat on them, and scratches can become quite visible in the topcoat of floors with a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish. While a simple Buff and Coat can help you remove scratches, it is something you will never have to worry about with carpet!
4. Noise. In larger rooms, installing hardwood floors can change the acoustics. If there was carpet before, sounds may appear louder. As the floor ages and expands and contracts, you may also hear noise like squeaks and creaks with footfalls. There will be no carpet or other materials to dampen that sound.
5. Crowning and Cupping. Depending on the amount of moisture in and under the floor, your hardwood may experience crowning and cupping. Crowning occurs when the center of the floorboard rises above the edges. Cupping is the opposite; the edges of the wood planks rises above the middle. This may happen from excessive moisture in the air, and on rare occasions, from faulty installation. This leaves you with a floor that is not completely flat, which can be unsettling over time.
After weighing the pros and cons of hardwood flooring, the choice as to what material to use will be up to you. Hardwood is a beautiful choice that adds value to your home, but it must be carefully selected for the right place and for the right reasons.
At Buff & Coat Hardwood Flooring Specialists, we can consult on the best materials to use and prepare you with what to expect from a hardwood floor installation in the room of your choice. We enjoy bringing the beauty and value of hardwood flooring to our customers and they trust us for quality craftsmanship and long-lasting hardwood floors.
Call us today at 630.689.3800 to schedule an in-home estimate.
