Many home owners love hardwood floors – and for good reason! There are many benefits that come along with having hardwood flooring throughout your home.
In fact, hardwood floors have become one of the most popular flooring options among today’s home owners and home buyers. Adding hardwood to your home is a great way to add value, whether you’re planning to sell in the near future or years down the road.
But there are also some downsides to hardwood floors that are well worth exploring before you make your final decision on what type of floor you’d like installed in your custom home.
Considering your flooring options? Have hardwood on your list of choices? Here’s what you need to know.
Advantages of Hardwood Floors
Durability
Hardwood floors are incredibly durable and can last for decades. If you’re looking for a flooring choice that will stand the test of time, hardwood is a wise option to consider.
Timelessness
A classic choice, hardwood has not yet gone out of style. This characteristic is one of the reasons that hardwood can add value to your home and make it more appealing to future buyers.
Versatility
Hardwood floors come in a variety of styles and finishes and can be used in a wide variety of rooms. They also look good with a variety of decor styles. If you’re the kind of person that likes to change up your home decor on a regular basis, hardwood is a good flooring choice to go with since you won’t have to change your flooring each time you change your style!
Easy Maintenance
Cleaning and maintaining hardwood floors is easy in comparison with other flooring types. A simple vacuum or sweep and a polish once in a while will keep your floors looking great.
Cleanliness
If you’re trying to keep your home allergen free, hardwood floors can help you to do so. Carpeting can trap and hold onto dust, pet hair and other allergens. Hardwood does not.
Cost Effectiveness
Many people are intimidated by the cost of hardwood flooring, which can be higher than other flooring options up front. However, hardwood floors are ultimately very cost effective. They last a long time without needing to be replaced so they end up being an affordable choice in the long run, despite the upfront expense.
Disadvantages of Hardwood Floors
Upfront Installation Cost
If you’re looking for a floor option that’s affordable right off the bat, hardwood floors are likely not it. Though they do last a long time, they are more complicated to install than other flooring types, which can make them an expensive choice up front.
Necessary Refinishing
Regular wear and tear, especially in high traffic areas, will likely result in the need to refinish your hardwood floors at some point. This can be expensive and a sizable project.
Noise
Hardwood floors can contribute to a louder home environment because they don’t muffle sound like rugs and carpeting do. If you’re looking to minimize echo within your home, you may want to consider other flooring options.
Susceptibility to Water Damage
Because they are made of actual wood, hardwood floors aren’t a good choice for areas that may be susceptible to moisture. This means having hardwood in a kitchen or bathroom can be a bad choice – so if you’re looking to redo your floors in those areas of your home you may want to give hardwood a second thought. There are likely better alternatives out there.
Consider Carefully as You Choose Flooring For Your Home
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to selecting the right type of flooring for your home. Whether you’re custom building a home or you’re looking to refinish an area in your existing home, it’s well worth it to consider all of your options before settling on the type of floor you’ll move forward with.
Thinking carpeting might be the better option for you? Learn more about the pros and cons of carpet here.
Feeling confident about choosing hardwood, but curious about other popular home features you may want to consider? Check out our list of popular new home features here for other upgrades or home model options you may want to consider.