10 March 2009

The Most Important Pros and Cons about Hardwood Flooring

The pros of hardwood flooring are it is easy to clean and maintain, it is durable and known for its longevity, it can increase the value of your home, it is available in different styles, and it is a great insulator. On the other hand, the cons are it is expensive, and it needs occasional refinishing.

One of the features that home buyers look forward to when selecting a house to buy is hardwood floors. Hardwood floors give rooms a classic and elegant touch. Before you call a Bloomfield hardwood floor refinishing firm to help you get the hardwood floor you’ve always dreamed of, or if you are home buyer and wish to purchase a home with hardwood flooring, you should first consider the pros and cons of hardwood flooring.

Pros

Hardwood floors are easy to clean and maintain

Hardwood floors are known for being easier to clean compared to carpets and most other flooring types. If you have kids or a family pet, you don’t have to worry about potential messes they might cause on the floor because hardwood floors are fairly easy to clean. Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and the occasional use of the right wood floor cleaning product will be sufficient enough to maintain the hardwood floor’s appearance.

It is durable and known for its longevity

Hardwood floors are also very durable, and with the proper maintenance and care. they can actually last a long time. In fact, there are many homes and buildings that are more than a century old but still have the original hardwood flooring in great condition. There are few other flooring types and materials that have been used as long as hardwood.

It can increase the value of your home

Making long term plans for your home is a good idea and, given the durable nature of hardwood, it is a good factor to consider, especially if you are planning to sell your home in the future. Among other things, your choice of flooring will affect the appraisal price of your home. Carpets will easily appear old and worn in a shorter span of years compared to hardwood.

It is available in different styles

From cozy to modern, hardwood floors can compliment a wide variety of home themes. Hardwood flooring provides buyers a wide variety of woods to choose from like cherry, walnut and oak. Additionally, these wood types can be sanded and stained in order to achieve a look you like.

It is a great insulator

Other than its aesthetic value, hardwood flooring also adds warmth and coziness to a room. Hardwood is a great insulator and can hold heat, making it rather pleasant and cozy to walk on compared to laminate floors.

Cons

Hardwood floors are expensive

The benefits, durability and aesthetic appeal of wood floors come with a costly price tag. Wood flooring can range from a price of $3 per square foot to more than $12 for exotic wood types. The installation costs are also another factor to consider.

It needs occasional refinishing

Other than paying for installation costs, there might be times when you need to pay someone to refinish your hardwood floors. Refinishing is meant to restore the flawless appearance of hardwood and repair it from damage caused by scratches and stains.

Undeniably, hardwood floors have a timeless appeal to many homeowners. To be able to fully appreciate this house feature, you must be aware of its different pros and cons.

No comments:

Post a Comment