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Hardwood Flooring: Exploring the Pros and Cons

There are many benefits that come along with choosing to install hardwood floors in your home. However, like all flooring options, hardwood floors also come with some disadvantages. Consequently, this flooring option may not be right for everyone. Taking the time to further explore both the pros and cons associated with hardwood flooring can help you to determine whether or not this is the right flooring material for your home.

The Pros

There are several benefits associated with the installation of hardwood floors that you should be aware of. These benefits include

1. Longevity: When properly cared for, high quality hardwood floors can easily last for several hundred years before needing to be replaced. This means that you will never again need to invest in new floors for your home when choosing to install hardwood flooring.
2. Easy To Repair: While hardwood floors are extremely durable, it is possible for these flooring materials to become damaged over the years. In the event that your hardwood floor does become scratched or otherwise damaged, you will be glad to know that these floors can be easily repaired. This feature can help to save you a considerable amount of money over the life of your floors when compared to other flooring options, such as laminate flooring, that will require that the damaged areas are replaced due to the inability to repair these materials.
3. Easy To Clean: Hardwood floors can be easily cleaned using a standard broom and damp mop a few times a week. Best of all, since these floors offer a solid flooring surface, you will never need to worry about bacteria or allergens hiding inside of your flooring materials. This can be especially beneficial for individuals with asthma, allergies, or other medical conditions.

The Cons

There are also some disadvantages that you should be aware of before deciding whether or not to install hardwood floors in your home. These disadvantages include

1. Falling Hazard: Hardwood floors offer virtually no padding and can become slippery when wet. This can be problematic for individuals who are prone to falling, such as young children and senior citizens.
2. High Maintenance: Hardwood floors will need to be maintained on a regular basis in order to remain looking beautiful for many years to come. This maintenance typically includes the need to sand and reseal the floor's surface every few years. This process can be quite time consuming and labor intensive. Furthermore, a failure to follow through with this maintenance can greatly reduce the life expectancy of your floors.
3. Upfront Cost: With an average cost of between $6–15 per square foot, hardwood floors are considerably more expensive than some of the other options the market has to offer. However, it is important to remember that while these floors will cost you more upfront, they can actually save you money in the long run thanks to their impressive lifespan.

The Bottom Line

While many homeowners will benefit greatly from the installation of hardwood floors, these floors will not be right for everyone. For instance, senior citizens and other individuals who are at a higher risk of falling may find that the hard surface provided by hardwood floors is not right for their particular needs. Instead, these individuals may be better served by a flooring material, such as carpet. For assistance, talk to a professional like National Carpet Mill Outlet.