The Pros And Cons Of Hardwood Flooring (2023)

FAQs

The Pros And Cons Of Hardwood Flooring? ›

There's a lot to like about hardwood flooring. It brings a bit of nature's beauty into your home and it goes with just about any decor, be it traditional, contemporary, rustic or a stylish mash-up. It requires an investment of both time and money, but when the dust settles, wood floors are almost always worth it.

There's a lot to like about hardwood flooring. It brings a bit of nature's beauty into your home and it goes with just about any decor, be it traditional, contemporary, rustic or a stylish mash-up. It requires an investment of both time and money, but when the dust settles, wood floors are almost always worth it.

Hardwood floors are not low maintenance by any stretch of the imagination. They require regular sweeping and cleaning to prevent surface damage and to keep them looking nice. And you need to clean them with products that won't damage the finish, and be extra careful with water.

The Bathroom Floors

It's not secret that moisture can cause major damage to hardwood floors over time. Things like steamy showers and spills can prematurely age wood floors and creating damage. For immediate destruction to wood flooring an overflowing toilet could quickly happen spell the end for your wood floors.

You may love the look of your hardwood flooring, but it's really not a good idea to put it in your laundry room. Foyer– All manner of things can be tracked in from outside, and the foyer of your home will bear the brunt of all of them. Sand, dirt, mud, water, snow, and more can all damage hardwood.

Hardwood Flooring During the Humid Seasons

During the hotter and more humid months of the year, hardwood flooring will absorb moisture from the air, which causes it to expand and swell. The expansion of the boards can cause them to warp.

Hardwood floors typically last much longer than laminate, though they do need occasional refinishing. It's also usually easier to repair a hardwood floor, often with some sanding and staining, whereas damaged laminate might need to be replaced altogether.

Wood Flooring will scratch. Being a natural product there is truly no way of getting away from this fact. Scratches however need not necessarily be looked at as a bad thing with wooden flooring. Many believe that these markings very much add to the character of the flooring - taking away from the pristine nature.

Engineered wood flooring is a better choice in high-moisture environments than solid hardwood, making it a better option for kitchens, bathrooms and basements. But, for whole-house installations, both flooring options offer a wide range of style choices.

The best hardwood floors are made with wood species that are readily available and — you guessed it — very hard. Oak flooring, maple flooring and cherry flooring are all good choices. Other species include bamboo (which is actually a grass), walnut, ash and mahogany.

Are hardwood floors healthier than carpet? ›

Carpet vs Hardwood: The Final Verdict

According to the above, hardwood and carpet flooring are equally healthy. However, carpets are harder to clean properly, making them less ideal for people with allergies or asthma.

Routine cleaning

In high-traffic areas, like the dining room and kitchen, sweep or vacuum daily if possible and mop hardwood floors once or twice a week. Mop less-trafficked areas once a month or once a season.

The best way to clean hardwood floors and keep them in shape is to stick to a regular schedule of maintenance. Sweep, dust or dry mop daily. Vacuum weekly. Clean heavy-traffic areas with a damp mop twice a month.

Rugs protect your floors.

Daily life, along with heavy furniture, can cause permanent damage to your hardwood floors if you're not careful. So keep your floors in good shape by adding a rug! Rugs (plus a rug pad) will eliminate any potential damage a heavy piece of furniture can do.

Despite being the best choice for underneath floor heating, hardwood flooring is not exceptional when it comes to hardwood pest infestation. Some wood pest such as termites, powder post beetle, carpenters ants, and some bugs may cause irreparable damage to your wood floors, making them spotty and aged.

Moisture in Spring and Summer

Fall is a perfect season for hardwood flooring installation because the cool, crisp weather exposes your hardwood flooring to less moisture.

On average, a hardwood flooring finish lasts approximately ten years. But with proper care and maintenance, it can last much longer.

In fact the early mid mod period (late 40's – early 50's) is about the last time that hardwood floors were common in builder grade houses.

If you're looking for a gorgeous, durable flooring option for your kitchen, wood floors may be the answer. It's been popular for centuries, and its timeless design never goes out of style. Plus, "we see this trend a lot because people love the feel of wood underfoot.

How often should wood floors be replaced? ›

In the same respect, most properly maintained hardwood floors can go anywhere from 20 to 30 years without needing any significant work done. Their longevity makes hardwood floors a great investment for any house. However, there will come a time when every hardwood floor will need to either be refinished or replaced.

The most common way to lay hardwood flooring is by aligning the planks parallel to the longest wall. Apart from a few exceptions like sagging joists, this is the preferred direction to lay wood floors because it aesthetically provides the best result.

Vinyl flooring is waterproof, so it's usable in any area of the home, including bathrooms and low-grade basements where water or moisture is a concern. Yet, hardwood floors can be damaged, warped, or even grow mold when exposed to water or moisture because they soak up liquids easily.

Teak: Teak has much to offer when it comes to real wood flooring. Its 2330 Janka rating makes it one of the hardest woods available, but its high-gloss finish, natural oils and resins, and high water resistance make it ideal for almost any room in your home or business.

“Tile is the highest-rated flooring among the categories we test,” says Enrique de Paz, who leads flooring testing at Consumer Reports. “It doesn't wear out, scratch, or stain. Its color doesn't fade, it's waterproof, and it is surprisingly slip-resistant, even when wet.

Sweeping. Dirt, dust, and other abrasive particles can gather and scratch the floor without you even noticing. If you don't sweep on a regular basis, it can slowly damage your hardwood floors. If you want to ruin your floors, don't sweep them.

Nails scratch a typical hardwood finish.

Over just a few months, your wood floor will begin to look dull and worn just because of all the scratches on the finish from dog nails. Unlike cats, dogs do not fully retract their nails, so they are always clicking on the floor when they walk.

The problem with sweeping wood floors is that it just kicks dust into the air. That dust will eventually settle right back down, meaning you're really just spreading dirt and allergens around.

Hardwood flooring is tough and durable, especially certain species. Most homeowners only purchase wood flooring once for their home because hardwood flooring is so durable. Many home's wood floors last so long because they can be refinished, unlike carpet or laminate.

Is light or dark wood floors better? ›

Darker floors are better suited for larger rooms and open floor plans. Another seemingly unrelated factor to consider is how often you clean your floors. Light hardwood flooring can hide small flaws, dirt, and debris, but anything larger will be very noticeable.

Oak floors continue their dominance.

Oak, bamboo, and maple continue to be the most popular hardwood options, with walnut and its striking grain making an occasional appearance.

Neutral shades such as light brown, gray, and black are timeless classics that will look good for years to come. These hues make a great backdrop for any room in your home, so you can easily accessorize the space without worrying about the color clashing with your floors.

Brown Hardwood Flooring

Best known as the traditional color of hardwood flooring, shades of brown are still as popular as ever. Much like tan-toned hardwood, brown flooring is suited for any aesthetic. Lighter tones can set the basis of a neutral design, while deeper tones have the power to convey depth and luxury.

There's no consensus on an exact percentage, but many experts have said it's between 3% and 5%. So replacing carpet with hardwood flooring can definitely make a difference in your selling price. In fact, one study found that 54% of home buyers said they'd be willing to pay more—up to $2,080—for hardwood floors.

At the end of the day, the decision between carpet or hardwood floors is primarily based on preference. Many people prefer carpet in bedrooms because they enjoy a softer surface. And in the case of two or three-story homes, carpet can also help reduce noise.

When comparing the cost of installing hardwood floors versus carpet, quality hardwood flooring will almost always be a larger investment. Installing hardwood floors on average costs between $12 and $20 per square foot, while carpet costs about $6 to $12 per square foot.

Hardwood floors can last much longer than laminate, which is typically limited to a lifespan of between 15 and 25 years. That said, hardwood flooring will usually show wear and tear more much quickly than laminate due to its susceptibility to scratches, dents, and discolorations.

Besides, a properly maintained wood floor can go 20 or 30 years or more before needing to be refinished, says Lupresto. And it can be sanded and refinished "easily six or seven times" over its lifetime, he says.

The best hardwood floors are made with wood species that are readily available and — you guessed it — very hard. Oak flooring, maple flooring and cherry flooring are all good choices. Other species include bamboo (which is actually a grass), walnut, ash and mahogany.

What is the downside to laminate flooring? ›

While laminate flooring has many strong points, its most significant downside is its poor resistence to water. Laminate flooring can tolerate some water on top surface but it should not be allowed to pool and remain for long. Otherwise, the water may seep below and affect the sensitive core layer.

Hardwood floors can be scratched easier than laminate floors; however scratches are much easier to fix with real hardwood flooring.

Not Resistant to Humidty: Wood can be damaged by spills, standing liquids, and humidity which is why wood floors are not recommend for areas of high moisture and humidity such as full bathrooms.

How often can I refinish my floors? Depending on a floor's thickness and the experience of the flooring professional, a floor can be sanded around 4-6 times in its entire life. Hardwood floors can be refinished every 7-10 years, making the 4-6 refinishes more than enough.

Moisture in Spring and Summer

Fall is a perfect season for hardwood flooring installation because the cool, crisp weather exposes your hardwood flooring to less moisture.

In fact the early mid mod period (late 40's – early 50's) is about the last time that hardwood floors were common in builder grade houses.

While there are many factors that influence a home's value, hardwood flooring can certainly increase its worth. Not only does it add a warm and inviting aesthetic to any living space, but it also makes a home easier to sell and can even add resale value when the time comes.