Because of it’s timeless beauty, hardwood flooring has been in use for centuries. However, many people don’t realize that there are many benefits to using hardwood as a floor choice beyond it’s appearance. Due to advancements in finishing options, hardwood flooring can be placed in nearly any room of your home.
Hardwood floors have gotten a reputation for being difficult to maintain, but with today’s hardwoods, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, choosing hardwood can carry benefits you may not have thought about (see Types of Hardwood Flooring). With many other types of flooring, once it begins to show wear, the flooring must be removed and replaced. Most hardwood styles and finishes can be sanded and re-stained if you suffer localized damage, have high-traffic areas or just want to change the feel of your floor. By choosing hardwood, you can extend the life of your purchase. Other benefits that come with hardwood floor installations include:
Obviously, hardwood is beautiful. Whether you choose ebony, natural, rustic or a golden honey, you have a large palette of colors and designs to choose from. The aesthetic appeal of hardwood floors make it an excellent choice. In modern floor design, the range of colors that hardwood is available in can help complement your decor and correct visually problematic areas. Bright, light hardwood can lend brightness, while rich, deep woods can add contrast to your wall colors. Hardwood works with virtually any style or decor you are seeking and can help you achieve a striking, modern look or a quaint, lived in and homey vintage feel.
Due to its long use, hardwood never looks out of place. Whether you are the proud owner of a bungalow, craftsman, colonial or tudor home, there’s a hardwood that can be installed and look like it was the original floor to the house. It’s easy to care for and relatively low maintenance, too!
Hardwood is compatible with a variety of subfloors and requires minimal upkeep once it’s installed. It’s easy to clean with a damp mop and will always look great on your floors. You won’t have to worry about sealing grout, broken tiles or peeling laminate when you choose hardwood.
Hardwood flooring is remarkably durable. With proper upkeep, hardwood floors can maintain their beautiful appearance for a decade or more before requiring a freshen up. Few other flooring options offer the same longevity.
Few floors can match hardwood in their return on investment properties to your home’s value. Hardwood is such a sought after material that it can actually improve your home’s resale value. While installing hardwood floors does present an initial investment, it’s an investment that will make your home more attractive to buyers if you decide to sell.
Before you get started on tearing your floors out, here are key tips to make the process go smoothly through every step.
To ensure that you get the best possible result when you choose hardwood, make sure that you are working with a reputable, reliable company for your installation. There are a lot of flooring companies in Seattle, so do your research and make sure the one you choose has a good reputation. Read their online reviews and ask your friends and family if they have any experience with the company.
Before beginning your installation, move all furniture and breakables from the room. The flooring professional will need access to the entire room in order to ensure your floor is properly laid.
When you have hardwood installed, you’ll be given a glimpse into an area that homeowners rarely see – the subfloor. Don’t be surprised if your professional installer notices some damages in this layer of your floor, particularly around door frames or high traffic areas. Depending on the thickness of the hardwood you choose, your door measurements may not align with your new floor as perfectly as they once did. You may want to have a professional carpenter on call to handle issues such as rehanging doors and adjusting the baseboard trim.
For the first few days after installation, be sure to ventilate your house. This not only improves the quality and durability of the finish on your floor but also ensures that your family is comfortable.
