Are Hardwood Floors The Best Kind To Have?

With a lifespan of over 100 years, a hardwood floor is the longest lasting flooring choice, and in the long run, the most economical. Hardwood floors never go out of style and never need to be replaced to maintain a modern look. They can be refinished, stained or painted rather than replaced if a color change is desired. They increase the investment value of a home.

Hardwood floors create a look and feel that cannot be duplicated by other flooring options. While there are some nice imitation wood flooring products, they do not achieve the same warm look and wonderful, solid sound of real hardwood floors. Hardwood floors require some special care, but are easy to clean and keep beautiful.

For people with allergies and asthma, there is no better flooring option. Hardwood floors help to maintain a sterile, allergen-free environment. They do not accumulate dust, particulates, and other allergens. For those who suffer from chemical sensitivities they are ideal. Since natural wood products do not contain hazardous chemicals commonly found in synthetic flooring and adhesives, they do not have the problem of off-gassing commonly associated with carpet, vinyl flooring, and flooring materials made with particle board. Doctors frequently recommend replacing carpet, and other flooring, with hardwood floors to patients with allergies and asthma. Choosing a hardwood floor initially can prevent having to replace lesser flooring later down the road.

In some areas of the country, certain types of wood flooring are more popular. Often wood flooring reflects the history of a region. Beki Willis has been repairing, restoring and remodeling homes in the greater Austin area since 1989. She explains, "A lot of the floors here in the Austin area aren't 'hardwood,' they are long leaf pine. That is a heart pine. The first cuttings of pine, the trees standing here when the settlers came, were very sappy and hard. The pines that are grown now have a lot more white wood in them and less heart. They are not as hard, they would not be good material for floors anymore. The original pine trees were hard enough for floors."

Hardwood floors are not always the best choice for every room. Bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms are not well suited to wood flooring, because they are high moisture areas. Beki says, "A lot of it depends on your taste. I would not have them in the kitchen where I had a lot of moisture."

Some types of houses are more ideal for hardwood floors than others. According to Beki, "In Arizona, a lot of the houses are stucco and have a concrete floor. They will usually have carpet, tile, or maybe Pergo on top of that. The structure of the foundation of a house is important, too. If its beam, it is going to be more likely to have a hardwood floor or a wood floor. If it is slab, then it is less likely to."

While the best choice of flooring is largely a matter of personal taste, hardwood floors are certainly an excellent choice.