So you’re looking to renovate the flooring in your house and you have questions about hardwood. You may have heard things from your friends like it’s hard to maintain, it’s bad for the environment, and it’s just not a good deal. Let’s address these points and clear the picture. Hardwood flooring isn’t a bad choice, but rather one that is appropriate for some and not others. As with much in home decor, personal taste and dedication to maintenance play a large roll in determining what is right for you in flooring options.
First, let’s address the 3 primary types of hardwood flooring. First, there is solid hardwood, which is basically a single type of wood. Then there’s engineered wood, which is composed of a top layer of wood and 9 layers of plywood stuck together (Check out our post on engineered wood for more details). Finally, bamboo flooring is an alternative to the other two types.
Next, let’s take a look at the pluses hardwood floors. First off, they look great with most style homes, and have been a mainstay in homes across the US since, well, as long as the country has existed. Other than their looks, they are easy to maintain, though not as easy as linoleum flooring. Even water stains don’t pose too much of a problem as long as your flooring is finished and you don’t leave it there. You also get 50%-70% Return on Investment for hardwood floors. Finally, there are many varieties wood and styles to suit the various needs of households.
There are, of course, some minuses as well. They are more expensive than other options. Additionally, they need to be refurbished sometimes. After they age, they can be noisy and creaky when walked on, which can be eerie if you’re in a house by yourself.
Just to get an idea of its competitors, let’s look at the other flooring options. The more common ones are carpet, ceramic and tile, vinyl sheet, laminate flooring, and natural stone. Except for stone, the other options are, by and large, cheaper than hardwood. Linoleum in particular can provide a great look for a very low cost. Considering your alternatives is important to ensure you are most satisfied with your flooring selection.
There is also the concern of whether or not it is an environmentally healthy option to have hardwood floors. Forests in many parts of the world are shrinking and greenhouse gas emission are ever increasing, so one might think it irresponsible to install hardwood floors and cut down several trees in the process. However, the types of trees used in for flooring are increasing in number and proportion to their use. Also, remember that any alternative to hardwood flooring will come with an environmental cost as well.
For more information on hardwood flooring, take a look at the infographic below.
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