Pros & Cons Of Hardwood Floors

To have a fine "understanding" of flooring, it's important to take a look at options beyond your grandmother's linoleum. For example, once you have taken the first steps to build your own home, select your home design and location, it's time to consider the details.

The flooring you choose can add atmosphere to your house and enhance whatever feel you have chosen, whether it's rustic, Western or modern. When it comes to floors, you'll be faced with a lot of choices, including all kinds of tile and carpeting. Hardwood floors have both champions and critics. Here's a look at what the different factions say:

The case for hardwood floors:

Hardwood floors are available in a variety of wood species. Each species has a different grain pattern. You might prefer the grain of oak, for example, to the grain of maple because it blends with patterns or colors in your home.
In addition, you can specify the level of gloss and finishes you want for your particular room.
Some hardwood floors offer a special finish that protects against normal wear and from everyday scratches to long-term heavy-duty use.
Hardwood floors sometimes come in several plies to enhance strength and durability. These plies are laid cross-grain to those under and above them, so that each ply layer reinforces the next. This gives the floor incredible strength.
The width of the boards in a hardwood floor can vary, and this help enhance a refined look or a spacious appearance.
For extra strength, you can choose a thicker floor, which is less likely to warp.
A traditional appearance is enhanced by square edges that fit flush against each other, while a beveled edge can give a room more definition.

The case against hardwood floors:

If you have several active children in your home, you might not want to consider hardwood floors because the threat for spills is almost constant

Rough use can literally make a dent in hardwood floors, which can also be susceptible to scratches.
Hardwood floors are more expensive than other options. And, once hardwood is damaged, it can be expensive to correct the defect, such a scratch or a neglected liquid spill.
Hardwood floors need special care, and can be considered to be one of the more high-maintenance kinds of flooring.
Although they night detract from the general atmosphere of your home, mats and rugs usually are recommended to protect hardwood floors.
Pets can cause damage to hardwood floors, so pets' claws must continually be trimmed and kept clean.
Furniture that is used on hardwood floors should have casters.