For most people, wood appeals to the eyes and is a hard wearing option when used on the floor. The attractiveness of wooden floors has led to creation of imitations commonly known as laminated floors. Hardwood flooring is known to add beauty and warmth in our spaces. Though, installation of such floor gives a house a quality finish, it is more costly. Also, wooden floors tend to retain less dirt compared to carpets. This is because the wood on the floor does not absorb dust the way carpets do. Unlike fibers that hold allergens responsible for allergies, wooden floors do not hold allergens. As such, parents with young kids do not have to go through the stress of treating allergy symptoms.
Wooden floors may be laid using conventional methods like tongue and groove gluing but they can also be installed using other modern techniques like clip together. The beauty of wooden floors, particularly those that are made from hardwood is the fact that with sanding and finishing, they can retain a natural shine and last for many generations. If you are planning to install wooden floor in your house, here are some advantages and disadvantages you need to be aware of:
Advantages:
- Wooden floors increasethe value of a homes
When a house has hardwood wooden floor, buyers tend to agree to pay more money for it compared to houses that do not have wooden floors. Also, homes that are fitted with hardwood floors sell faster compared to carpeted homes. Often, home builders view wooden flooring as an upgrade and tend not to charge more for carpets.
- Wooden floorings are durable
Wooden floors, particularly those made from hardwood are durable and tend to stand the test of time. Some homes that have this kind of flooring last for over a century when the floor is properly maintained. They are easy to maintain as well, only requiring vacuuming and sweeping and occasional cleaning using a wooden floor cleaner.
- Wooden floorings are highly versatile
Homes that have hardwood flooring are very versatile. The floors work with different décor styles, from modern to conventional. Wooden floors come in different kinds including cherry, oak and walnut. The good thing is that they can be sanded then stained to suit the taste of the home owner. Should a home owner decide to change their décor style, they can also change the look on their hardwood floor.
- Wooden floorings are easy to repair
While wooden floorings may be damaged by various things, they are generally easy to repair. For instance, scratches on the wood may be corrected using touch up kits that are readily available in home improvement shops locally. They can also be corrected by just refinishing the floors. On the other hand, natural environmental factors can cause wooden floors to develop gaps. However, the changes in seasons cause the wooden floors to correct themselves. Where large gaps develop, wood experts can be called upon to correct the situation.
Disadvantages
- Installation of wooden floorings is costly
Wooden floors are expensive to install in homes. For unfinished planks of oak wood, you can spend upwards of three dollars per square foot to more than twelve dollars per square foot if you use exotic kinds of wood. Further, the flooring has to be installed on top of a sub-flooring. Often, installation of these kind of floors work that most homeowners cannot handle and the cost of labor technically varies from one place to another.
- Wooden floorings can be noisy
When a person walks on wooden floorings, they produce noise that can be a source of nuisance to those living downstairs if you are living in an apartment. However, placing rugs on the floor can help reduce the noise and also add warmth inside the house. For families that have children or even adults who are susceptible to falls, spreading rugs on the floor is a great idea because the rugs help in cushioning them in case falls occur.
- Wooden flooring need occasional refinishing
Besides installation, scratched and scuffed floors tend to require refinishing on a regular basis. When the wood flooring is soft, the easier it is to blemish and scratch. Wooden floors that are made using hardwood floors also tend to lose their appeal or get damaged in homes that have high traffic due to the presence of kids and pets. Hiring a professional to refinish hardwood floors could cost up to 4 dollars, even more, per square foot. The cost largely depends on the layout of a room, the kind of finish and floor among other factors. During refinishing, you home will suffer from dust that results from timber floor sanding as well as fumes generated by the polyurethane coating.