The Hard Truth about Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular flooring materials in construction work.  Homeowners describe them as rustic, classic and very inviting.  There are a lot of things to love about hardwood: their magnificent glow and charming subtleties, as well as the ease of maintenance when compared to other types of flooring materials.  Another reason why hardwood is so popular with homeowners today is because of what wood does for real estate value.  By installing wood floors in place of generic tile you may be able to substantially raise the value of your resale price.

Though hardwood flooring is made from hard wood, there are some complexities to consider.  You must first choose between solid hardwood or engineered hardwood.
There are also American sources of hardwood as well as international sources.  You
must also consider the various types of hardwood families, the unique textures of the wood, the color and the grade.  For instance, some hardwoods are known to be very hard, like the Ipe family, whereas others like the Douglas Fir are known to be softer than average.  Some hardwoods are even resistant to rain damage or sun exposure.

What are the advantages to using hardwoods over carpeting or tiling?  Hardwoods add an aesthetic beauty that carpeting simply cannot compare with.  Carpets will not affect resale value, but hardwoods definitely will.  On the other hand, hardwoods are much more expensive than carpeting.  Hardwoods also offer some advantages over tile.  Wood complements a variety of settings and could “adapt” to a new room décor easily, while tile flooring might clash with the new look.  Tile is also more prone to cracking, which is much more noticeable than with hardwood.  

If you are interested in hardwood flooring, continue doing research on what types are ideal for your home, as well as what colors fit in best with your current (or even future) room color themes.  Contact a flooring professional to help you through this process.