• Low Maintenance

It is very easy to clean hardwood floors. You can sweep, steam-clean, or vacuum them to remove debris or dirt. Hardwoods are also more stain-resistant than carpets. If you spill something on them, you simply wipe it off.

• Strong and Durable

Hardwood floors are selected for their durability. While they may get dented or scratched, the problems are not easy to find. With proper care, your hardwood floors can last for decades.

• Boost the Value of Your Home

Buyers pay more for houses with hardwood floors than those with carpets. Moreover, because this is a highly sought feature, having wood flooring will help you sell your house even faster.

• Better Air Quality

Hardwood floors don’t trap animal dander, pollen, dust and other allergens. You will thus enjoy better indoor air quality. These floors are ideal for persons with allergies.

• Cost-Effective

While the installation cost may be high, hardwood floors are easy to maintain. Their durability reduces cleaning and repair costs. You also don’t need to replace them for generations.

• Color Does Not Fade

Hardwood floors have a steady appearance that is not affected by wear and tear.

• Improves Acoustics

Hardwood floors reduce vibrations or hollow sounds. This is the reason hardwood is popular in music and dance studios.

• It’s Warm

Hardwood is moderately warm. It maintains an even temperature all year. It is warmer than natural stone and is compatible with underfloor radiant heating systems.

How to Choose Hardwood Floors

You will be spoilt for choice when shopping for hardwood floors. The good news is there are a couple of things you can focus on to make the best decision.

• Solid or Engineered Flooring

Hardwood flooring is available either as solid wood or engineered flooring. Solid wood are planks of solid timber whereas engineered wood is a plank made using a thin top layer of hardwood which is bonded to other layers. Engineered wood is ideal for rooms with a concrete subfloor.

• Prefinished or Site Finish

You can either buy hardwood planks that have a raw face, that are finished by a professional after installation, or prefinished which has a topcoat that is already applied. Prefinished wood lets you see exactly how the final product will look like and it takes less time to install. Site finish, on the other hand, allows you to customize the final finish the way you want.