Why Choose Hardwood?
Hardwood flooring is exactly as its name implies. It is a material made out of hard, dense wood. Maple, oak, birch, and cherry are the typically the types of wood that are used to make hardwood floors. You will receive great durability and warmth for your building if you install hardwood flooring, which can last for many years with proper care and maintenance.
There are many benefits to having a hardwood floor. For starters, they enhance the look of your home and help make a good first impression when inviting guests. The amount of maintenance you will need to perform on a hardwood floor will be minimal as it will be very easy to keep clean. Sweeping, steam-cleaning, or vacuuming can remove any dirt or debris that accumulates on hardwood flooring. Another benefit of hardwood floors is that they are more stain resistant than carpets. Should any substances like drinks spill on a hardwood floor, you only need to wipe it up to make the floor clean again.
Another benefit of having a hardwood floor is that its color will not fade over time. In the case of carpets, the color will change over time with wear and tear, but what you see is what you will always get with hardwood. However, if you want to change the color of the floor, hardwood can be refinished instead of being replaced. If you purchase an unfinished wood floor, you will have to sand and stain it, and then finish with a protective sealer.
Types of Hardwood
Sometimes hardwood flooring can be lumber that is salvaged from demolished buildings, particularly floors and walls from old buildings. Reclaimed hardwood flooring is not always easy to find, but you can start by locating architectural salvage operations. In other words, hardwood flooring can be a recyclable resource.
Bamboo and cork flooring are other types of hardwood flooring, and they are popular choices because they are also renewable resources, much like original hardwood flooring. While technically more like a grass than a wood, bamboo can regrow in a span of five to six years. Bamboo flooring can can look like traditional hardwood flooring depending on how the flooring is processed.
Cork flooring provides a certain give underfoot, which is different than traditional hardwood. Though it is often used in kitchens, you can install cork flooring in any room you want. Most cork flooring materials will come in tiles of 12 or 24 inches that will click and lock in place, although you can also purchase cork panels.
The National Association of Realtors documents in their Remodeling Impact Report that refinished hardwood flooring yields a return on investment of 147%, while new floors recover 188% of home improvement project costs.
