Is Hardwood Flooring Right For Your Home?

Is Hardwood Flooring Right For Your Home?

There is no doubt that hardwood flooring can look beautiful. It is often praised by interior designers for it’s ability to transform any room in the house while offering an incredibly durable and long lasting flooring solution. But is it the right choice for your home or work environment?

As with any flooring choice, there are benefits and negatives that must be considered before you make a decision. This article will help you to work out what’s what with hardwood flooring and explore whether it’s the right choice for your home and lifestyle.

What’s great about hardwood flooring?

For many people, the appearance of hardwood flooring is the major attraction. It can be a key element in creating a modern and stylish interior, offering the perfect combination of functionality and finesse. The warm colours of hardwood flooring can elevate almost any room, whether the tones are chosen to complement or contrast with other design elements.

Hardwood floors can also add value to a property in addition to creating that elusive ‘wow’ factor for viewers when the time comes to sell. It may seem a relatively expensive option, but considering its potential to add value, together with its sheer durability, it is a flooring choice well worth considering.

Properly maintained, good quality hardwood has the potential to last a lifetime. This is in sharp contrast with even the highest quality carpet, which can begin to lose colour or texture in areas of high traffic over prolonged periods of time.

Hardwood is also easier to keep clean than some other flooring options and is generally more hygienic. It can therefore represent a good choice for allergy sufferers who need an environment kept free of as many aggravating allergens as possible.

If you are looking at wood because your previous flooring has been damaged, you will no doubt be aiming to avoid a similar problem occurring in the future. Hardwood could the answer. Even if it does sustain damage or become scratched, it can be repaired through sanding and refinishing.

What do you need to consider?

Given the cost of the raw material, hardwood is a relatively expensive choice, both in terms of the purchase price and the cost of installation.

It can also feel a little cold underfoot, especially in properties where draughts are an issue. This is can be a major downside for property owners wanting a room that feels as comfortable as it looks.

Whilst hardwood can be a good choice for maintaining a clean environment, it may not be the best option if you share your home with pets. Dogs, for example, can find the surface slippery as they scamper around the house.

Darker hardwood finishes can also show up dirt and dust far more so than other flooring choices. This means that whilst cleaning should be easy, you may find yourself having to do it rather more often.

One final thing to note, is that hardwood flooring has the potential for noise. Unlike carpet and other flooring types that will absorb sound, every step can be heard on hardwood, especially in environments in which people do not remove their shoes.

If you require any help or advice on hardwood flooring or carpets in Newbury and the surrounding areas, why not contact our friendly, knowledgeable team here at CMS Downs. For a full list of store locations simply click here.