Hardwood flooring is once again becoming increasingly popular and economical. But with so many different types and styles available, it can be tough to determine which will work best in your own home. Below we’ve outlined the pros and cons of solid hardwood so that you can make an informed decision on whether it is the best suited for your lifestyle.
Pros:
Solid hardwoods look more like the original trees they came from and usually contain less variation in color than engineered or laminate flooring, which can make it easier to find one suitable for your home’s décor.
Additionally, if you’re a pet owner, solid hardwoods tend to be more resistant to scrapes and scratches from running dogs and cats. Solid wood flooring is usually available in wider boards than engineered or laminate flooring, which means fewer seams when installing the product, resulting in a less noticeable transition between rooms. With natural wood floors, you can sand or refinish the surface to remove scratches.
Lastly, solid wood flooring tends to be more affordable than engineered and laminate flooring, particularly in wider widths, making it an economical option for people on a budget.
Cons:
Solid hardwood floors are much heavier than other options, which makes them very difficult to handle, especially when being moved around or installed. Solid hardwood flooring also has the highest “embodied energy” impact of any type of wood flooring, according to Floors Magazine, meaning it takes more energy to produce solid wood floors than other types. Many homeowners are concerned about chemicals used in glues and finishes that solid hardwood flooring is often treated with. Solid wood floors tend to show every scratch, which means you may need to refinish or sand them more frequently than other types of wood flooring.
Solid hardwood is also susceptible to warping and swelling during periods of high humidity, so it is important for people living in regions where humidity is consistently high to consider how this could affect their flooring.
Find out the best flooring solution for you by getting in touch with the experts at Contractors Odessa.