Good flooring makes or breaks a home. A proper looking floor that goes along well with the area and provides rich feel to your feet will not elevate your home’s aesthetic but also increase your homes resale value. Think of it like this, when you think of an all american home- you think of a house with a wooden floor. The amount of class and elegance that a hardwood floor resonates naturally attracts people towards it. Wood’s durability, strength, resilience to stress or impact and superior sustainability in bad weather make it an ideal choice for areas like Boston- where winds can reach up to 25 miles per hour.
Installation or replacement of regular flooring with hardwood can add natural beauty and timeless style to your home. And being a Bostonian with a hardwood floor myself, I can vouch for the pros and cons myself:
Advantages of hardwood floor:
- Long term investment:
The great thing about hardwood floors is that they usually last for generations before they need replacement or major repairs. With a little varnish and some TLC (sanding and coating), hardwood floors will last you a lifetime and then some. Thus, not only will not the value of your home not decrease with time due to the flooring- but rather an instantly higher resale value may be fetched due to people’s attraction towards hardwood floors.
- Healthy air quality:
Unlike carpets that contain parasites and dust in their grooves or tiles that contain messy embossing, hardwood floors with somewhat good finishing will not attract any allergen, dander or mold. Thus, even in severely windy conditions where dust is blown into your home- a quick vacuum will ensure better indoor air quality.
- Baby proof
For those with babies in their homes, a non toxic form of flooring is best for toddlers who just learnt to crawl. Also, there’s no risk of tearing or permanent damage due to scratching or baby-mess.
- Organic
With the rise of the ‘sustainable culture’, the need for more organic and biodegradable alternatives to materials used to society building. Wooden floors allow the reduction of environmental impact in the process of construction.
Disadvantages of hardwood floor:
- Pricing
One of the main reasons why many people are deterred away from hardwood floors is the higher price compared to carpets or tiles. Hardwood flooring is usually installed over sub-flooring which complicates the installation process and increases overall cost.
- Prone to termite attack
Termites and other parasites often feed on wood, often resulting in infestation. Even though modern houses are built with prevention in mind, choosing the right wood type is absolutely essential.
- Noise:
Older wooden floors (including hardwood) will often start creaking over time. This noise can be reduced by reducing subfloor and joist gap with construction adhesive.
Final Verdict:
In conclusion, a hardwood floor can be a beautiful addition to any home. However, weighing the pros and cons before deciding is important, as every home and family is different. You can check hardwood floors Boston. A hardwood floor can last for many years with proper care, but it is important to be aware of the potential downsides before making a purchase.
