Pros and Cons of Hardwood Floors

You know you want to renovate your home, particularly you want new floors but you just cannot decide what kinds of floors your want because, well, there are just so many options! Hardwood floors are gorgeous and can add so much to the look and feel of your home but are they the right fit for you and those you live with? Are they in the budget? Is it the right choice for you? There are so many benefits to having them in your home but there are also some drawbacks. Here are some pros and cons to help you determine if this is the best solution for you.

The Pros

The Look
This type of flooring adds so much in looks to your home, and they can make pretty much any room look amazing. They can give a room a warm, cozy, traditional feel or they can give a modern and clean look with the variety of colours and finishes to choose from.

Value
When purchasing a new home, hardwood floors are usually on all home buyer’s lists. If there comes a time you choose to sell your home these floors can add tremendous value, and make your home much more appealing to potential buyers

Durability
Ever notice how so many older homes almost always come with this style of flooring? That is because it is so durable and will last. Have children? Pets? People who just do not take off their shoes in the house? This type of flooring will stand the test of time, and those you live with.

Maintenance
These floors are pretty easy to care for. With a quick daily sweep and wiping up spills as soon as they happen these floors can stay looking close to brand new for years to come with very little maintenance.

Versatile
If you want to change it up a little bit, you can easily throw a large area rug over your hardwood floors and instantly you have a brand new look to your room without renovating it again. Carpet definitely does not offer you that option.

Alleviates Allergies
For those who are sensitive to dust, pet dander and other air-borne allergens, hardwood floors are highly recommended. They do not allow for these particles to become trapped, like carpet will, and so you can breathe easy with simple, daily sweepings to get rid of dust and dander that builds up during the day.

Options, Options, Options!
There are so many colours and finishes to choose from that no two rooms have to look alike. You can create completely different looks within the same house by simply selecting a different colour hardwood floor for each room. You have such variety with this flooring type that selecting a colour and finish may just take you longer than actually installing it will.

The Cons

Cost
While this type of flooring is, without question, a fantastic investment it is not without any drawbacks and cost is one of them. Buying and installing solid hardwood floors can require a larger budget than any other type of hard flooring, or even carpet.

Cold
If you happen to live in a climate that experiences more seasons than just summer this is something to consider. Hardwood floors will not feel warm during the winter, and if you have a drafty home you may want to consider buying some slippers with your new flooring purchase.

Not Ideal for Pets
If you have any four-legged family members you will know wood floors are not exactly as pet-friendly as carpet is. You can hear their nails on the floor, they slip and slide all over the place and when they get older it may be harder for them to get up from a laying position if there is not any way for their paws to grip the floor.

Daily Cleaning
Hardwood tends to show dirt and dust quicker than carpets will. This means it will require frequent and thorough cleaning to keep it looking fresh and clean.

Shows Wear
Even though we just said they are durable (and they are!) these floors will show wear and scratches in high traffic areas much quicker than alternatives like carpet will.

Noise
Sounds within your home will all of a sudden become much more noticeable, and someone will be able to hear when you are sneaking to the kitchen for that midnight snack. Older flooring also tends to creak due to its age. All sounds and noises in your home, that maybe you did not even notice before, will become much noisier with hardwood floors.

This type of flooring is a great investment, but it is important to consider your lifestyle and what you want to get out of your new purchase. If you just do not think you can live with new noises, or maybe you do not want to spend that much money on just the floors perhaps hardwood floors just are not right for you. But if you can live with those things, and just cannot live without the look they provide for your home then it may be time to make the jump and purchase these floors for your home.