Hardwood floors are the most elegant flooring option available and hardwood floors have the following advantages when compared to other flooring options:
Hardwood floors are aesthetic
Hardwood floors are visually appealing and are popular with people that enjoy the warm feel and look of wood. The reason why hardwood floors are so popular is because they impart any room a warm feel and essentially make a house look like a home.
Hardwood floors impart a polished and classy look
Compared to wall to wall carpeting, hardwood floors are classier looking and impart an expensive look to a home. This is why hardwood floors are usually associated with large establishments and homes of the rich and famous. Contrary to popular belief, hardwood floors are not an expensive flooring option and the amazing variety of wood available make hardwood floors a viable flooring option.
Hardwood floors are a good real estate investment
Hardwood floors are fast becoming a smart real estate investment. Homes with hardwood flooring fetch a higher price on the real estate market, and realtors and real estate investors have often used this fact to increase their return on investment with purchased homes.
Hardwood floors have better acoustics
Hardwood floors offer better acoustics when compared to laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is notorious for the loud hollow sound that is produced when people walk on it (despite the heavy sound barrier foam layers that are used to insulate laminate flooring). In fact, laminate flooring is not a viable option in many apartments and condominiums (due to privacy and noise pollution concerns) and hardwood floors are fast becoming the de facto flooring option for apartments and condos.
Hardwood floors are a healthier option
Laminate flooring is infamous for trapping dirt and other allergens. Carpets usually trap dust, pollen, hair and other allergens and require regular cleaning to ensure healthy living conditions. In fact, people with allergies are usually asked to remove any carpeting in their homes. Hardwood floors on the other hand, do not trap particles and are far simpler to clean. In addition, the wood used for making hardwood floors is free from harmful chemicals and emissions.
Hardwood floors are easier to clean
Hardwood floors do not accumulate charged particles and dust easily. In fact, hardwood floors can be vacuumed easily and only require a wet mop to clean up liquids. Carpets on the other hand, require cleaning chemicals, carpet shampooing, or replacement carpets depending on the degree of damage. What is equally true is that hardwood floors do not require cleaning as frequently as carpets and are ideal for people that are susceptible to allergies.
Hardwood floors are cheaper in the longer run
Over a period of time, hardwood floors are far more economical when compared to other flooring options. For example, carpets need to be replaced every 7-8 years and there are other maintenance costs involved too. Although, hardwood floors also require refinishing every now and then but compared to other flooring options, hardwood floors are nearly 30-40% cheaper in the longer run.
Refinishing hardwood floors is such a simple task that many DIY (do it yourself) fans prefer refinishing their own hardwood floors. Refinishing requires sanding, buffing and staining of the hardwood floor and unlike laminate flooring, where the carpet needs to be replaced every 7-8 years, a hardwood floor can be refinished at leisure, and it is considerably cheaper to refurbishing laminate flooring. Repairing hardwood flooring is also a relatively simple task as small cracks and holes (called shiners) can be easily filled using buffers available in the market. In essence, hardwood floors are easier to clean, maintain and do not require repeat maintenance, this is why an increasing number of home owners are turning to hardwood floors as a durable and cheaper flooring option when compared to laminate flooring.
For more information on hardwood flooring in Kansas City and Charlotte visit www.hardwoodgiant.net
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