Is it time to replace the flooring of your home in Allen TX? Perhaps it’s covered in stubborn stains due to dirty shoes or scratches from furniture and pets. Was it damaged by the flood? If so, this is also a good reason to replace flooring.
If you landed on this guide, we’re guessing that you are interested to know what your options are for your replacement material. There’s carpet, linoleum, stone, laminate, and more. But out of the many choices available, wood flooring stands out.
For many homeowners in Allen TX and the rest of the US, wood flooring is a dream come true. It’s a popular choice as it offers many benefits. But wood flooring also has its share of disadvantages.
In today’s article, we’ll tackle everything you need to know. Let’s dive into the following topics:
- Wooden flooring advantages and disadvantages
- Other types of flooring materials
Benefits of Wooden Flooring
1. Contributes to a healthier indoor air
Unlike carpets, wooden floors don’t accumulate allergens.
What is the benefit of wooden flooring? One of the biggest reasons why you should choose it is that it ensures better indoor air. If you have family members who suffer from allergies, you’ll be glad to know that hardwood floors don’t absorb particles such as dust and pollutants. Carpets are known to harbor these particles, including parasites. So if your main purpose is to avoid allergens at all costs, go for wood material.
2. Boosts your home interior
When it comes to wooden flooring advantages and disadvantages, people think about appearance first. Hardwood looks brilliant and gives your home a feel of elegance and warmth for many years to come. Other flooring materials tend to fade over time, but not hardwood. This is especially true if you choose a contractor that installs high-quality wood flooring.
Speaking of aesthetic appeal, wooden flooring also matches any piece of interior decor. Modern or rustic — it doesn’t matter.
3. Makes maintenance a breeze
Perhaps you heard rumors that wood flooring is hard to maintain. This is simply not true. We’re here to tell you that caring for hardwood flooring to maintain its beauty and cleanliness is simple. Sweep it to remove dust and particles. If you spill water or colored drinks on the surface, wipe them dry with a clean cloth immediately. Use a proven floor cleaner to bring back its luster. Easy peasy, right?
4. Increases the value of your home
“Why is hardwood good in terms of your home’s value?” Well, hardwood definitely helps you achieve a higher return on investment. You get to sell your home faster and for a better price. An article on Time magazine states that hardwood flooring is one of the features that buyers are willing to pay for. This is why many homeowners replace their old carpets if they plan to sell their properties anytime soon.
5. Available in a variety of types
Ask your local contractor about natural wood species for your flooring.
Getting started with wooden flooring is an exciting experience since there are tons of options to choose from. You can have your contractors get you a unique plank size, specific shade, or wood type. When it comes to the wood material itself, here are some beautiful selections:
- Oak
- Mahogany
- Hickory
- Pine
- Cherry
- Walnut
- Cypress
The abovementioned list of species will vary in terms of color, ease of installation, and susceptibility to scratches.
6. Can be restored easily
Wooden flooring advantages and disadvantages… when it comes to restoration, you’ll find hardwood easy to deal with. To make it look like new, replace damaged areas and apply a layer of fresh coat. You can do this with the help of a contractor like us, StormPros.
Disadvantages of Hardwood
1. Cost of the materials and installation service
Is wooden flooring expensive? Yes, it costs more than most materials because of the material quality and workmanship. Installing hardwood floors require expertise from experienced professionals. According to HomeAdvisor, a homeowner can expect to spend around $4,396 for installation. The most expensive wood types such as cypress and walnut costs around $8 to $14 per square foot.
Despite this high price tag, still, people continue to get wood flooring because of its long-term value.
2. Prone to water damage
Be sure to clean wood flooring right away to prevent damage from moisture.
Since wood is a natural material, it is susceptible to water damage. Failure to dry your floors immediately will result in discoloration, raised edges, and buckling. All these consequences of water damage lead to an early replacement. Be sure to get in touch with a water damage restoration specialist if your wooden floors get soaked in flood water.
If there is no flooding, you can simply dry out the floors by vacuuming and setting your fans on full-blast. The only downside is that the process can be time-consuming. It may take an entire day depending on the area that requires drying.
3. Gets scratched easily
Scratches… they’re one of the worst enemies of wooden flooring. Scratches immediately reduce its beauty. Some wooden floors are more vulnerable to scratches. You can deal with light and minor scratches by applying protective coatings or wax filler. Deeper scratches prompt you to ask for professional help.
Other Flooring Materials Aside from Wood
We already discussed wooden flooring advantages and disadvantages in the previous section. Now that you know them, perhaps you’re also interested in other material options. Here at StormPros, we install engineered hardwood flooring and these two types of flooring options:
Ceramic Tile Flooring – Ceramic tiles make durable choices because they handle high foot traffic and resist water. As a homeowner, you have the complete freedom to install ceramic tiles in any room of your house in Allen TX. Plus, you’ll love the adorable prints that are available for ceramic tiles.
Laminate Tile Flooring – Compared to other types of flooring materials, laminate flooring is known to be affordable. Hard objects don’t easily break laminate tiles. You can also get laminate flooring that looks like real stone. What a beauty!