Are you getting ready to replace the flooring in your home? There are so many choices available. When you’re considering all of the different options it can be hard to make up your mind. All the types of flooring have benefits after all.
The first question is how you want your home to feel? Does your home want to be a cozy getaway from the hustle and bustle? Are you hoping to go for a feeling of timelessness? Once you have a plan of what you want your new floor to say it will be easier to find a floor that can achieve that. One floor that can do it all is a hardwood floor.
There are many benefits of choosing a hardwood floor over the other type of flooring (carpeting, vinyl, tile) and you’re sure to find the perfect hardwood option for your home. Keep reading for some of the many benefits of choosing hardwood floors for your home.
There Are So Many Hard Wood Flooring Options
Hardwood floors offer so many different options that you can find a hardwood floor that will suit the design style of your house. They are classic and look great in any home. From bedrooms to hallways, choosing hardwood floors are great for any room that doesn’t get too much moisture.
For example, one of the only drawbacks to a hardwood floor is that it can get weakened or damaged if it gets wet so it isn’t a good flooring choice for a bathroom. If you live in an area with high humidity and aren’t sure whether a hardwood floor is right for you, check in with a flooring professional for their recommendation.
Did you know that there are two kinds of flooring that fall under the heading of “hardwood floors.” One is the classic solid wood floor, that you are probably familiar with, made from a single timber. This type of flooring dates back to the 1600s and has never waned in popularity.
But the other type of hardwood floor on the market is engineered hardwood which is made of thin sheets of wood pressed together. If you have higher moisture content in your region, the engineered hardwood is better at dealing with it. It is less likely to warp in high humidity making it a good choice.
Don’t worry about hardwood floors in a kitchen, however. So long as you wipe up spills promptly and don’t let them linger on the floor, your floor is unlikely to be damaged by your typical kitchen usage.
One aspect of hardwood flooring that may seem overwhelming is just how many choices you have from a design element. There are many different styles, colors, and finishes available in hardwood flooring, making it a fun time to design your space the way you’d like it to look. You can even mix and match for a completely unique look.
Hardwood floors can make a dramatic statement or they can blend in so well with your decor that they are barely noticeable. Whatever design option you are looking for in a hardwood floor there will be options that will help you establish the perfect look.
Planks are available in many sizes, wide and narrow, as well so you can truly have the floor you’ve always wanted. Some people also like to use reclaimed wood in their flooring, for instance, old barn wood, for a floor that tells it’s own story. Whether you’re aiming for a historical look or a contemporary one, a flooring professional can help you determine the best plank size.
Hardwood Floors are Durable
You’ve probably already figured out that if a hardwood floor is built to last a quarter of a century that they are a great and durable flooring option. While each wood variety option will bring it’s own benefits as well. Hardwood floors can be made of just about any type of wood you can imagine. And they all look just a little different, so it’s as much a design choice as anything.
For instance, if you are looking for a wood grain pattern that is unlike your neighbor’s floor then consider floor made from ash with its unique grain. Or if you want the most durable wood floor look at floors made by hickory or birch. A flooring expert can help you make the best choice for which wood type would work well.
Remember that in the especially high traffic area, like a living room, you can always add an area rug to both protect the floor and add a touch of comfort. Rugs can help break up larger spaces and also let you bring in different design elements as well. Hardwood floors in a bedroom pair especially well with a rug for that cozy feeling.
Hardwood Floors are Repairable
Not many flooring types can be as easily repaired as a hardwood floor can be. Even though hardwood floors are durable they are still prone to damage from things like pet’s nails scratching them or even toys being dragged across the floor. If you have several large dogs and a bunch of small children and still want hardwood floors don’t worry!
Minor damage to hardwood can be repaired and no one will ever know. In fact, one of the most common renovations for flooring is refinishing hardwood floors. If your hardwood floors are looking all beat up it may be time to bring them back to life. It’s easy to tackle a repair yourself or you can hire someone to help you, whichever you prefer.
The bulk of a refinishing project is the preparation of the floor. First, you will need to get your floors as clean as possible. It’s important for a floor to be clean no matter if you are recoating the floor or completely sanding down and refinishing the whole floor.
There’s a simple test you can try to decide which route to take. Just mark off two small areas, one in a high traffic spot and one more tucked away. After the floor is cleaned with a wood floor cleaner and roughed up a bit with a sanding screen, you can put down a layer of polyurethane.
Wait 24 hours check to see if the sealing will hold. Using a coin try to scrape at the area you’ve recoated using moderate pressure. (Even a perfect finish could scrape if you press too hard.) If the coin doesn’t peel up the finish, you can simply recoat your floors. If the coating comes up easily, you will need to completely sand and refinish your floor.
Refinishing a hardwood floor is more time consuming but isn’t in itself that much harder than a recoating project. But either version of a repair will be easier and less expensive than completely replacing your flooring.
Hardwood is One of the Best Bang for your Buck
Did you know that as long as hardwood floors are well-cared for they can last a very long time? In fact, if you opt to install hardwood floors in your home they will probably last longer than you will live in your home! On the low end of things, a hardwood floor will last about twenty-five years but can last much much longer than that.
Because of their long lifespan, having hardwood floors can boost the value of your home. It’s a fact that homebuyers prefer hardwood floors over all other flooring varieties and so choosing hardwood for a new floor is one of the best investments you can make for your home.
If you’re looking for a floor covering that is going to give you an excellent return on investment, then hardwood floors are the way to go. Even if you aren’t planning to move any time soon, when you opt for hardwood flooring you open yourself up to a beautiful floor you love that will be versatile for years to come.
Conclusion
Getting a great looking floor for any occasion is easy when you choose hardwood floors. Not only can you pick a floor that will look great and last a long time, but they offer you the other benefits of being easily repaired. No matter what kind of hardwood floor you choose, your floor will be the envy of the neighborhood.
As you begin thinking about new hardwood floors for your home you’ll see that the many benefits are worth the investment. A hardwood floor is the perfect choice for a floor that will serve you and your home well for years to come. From cozy to artistic, there is a hardwood floor for you!