Is Hardwood Flooring Worth It? Breaking Down the Pros and Cons of Hardwood Flooring
You’re ready for new flooring. Maybe you’re already considering your options. BUT you aren’t quite sure if hardwood flooring is actually worth it. Sound familiar?
If so, you’re in luck. We created a handy flooring guide just for you where we break down the pros and cons of hardwood flooring to help you in your decision-making.
And most importantly – by the end of this quick guide, you’ll be able to answer “Is hardwood flooring worth it to me?”
The Options
Dozens of flooring types are available on the market today. From carpet to laminate to tile to hardwood flooring, the list can seem endless. However, only one has continued to stand the test of time – hardwood flooring.
Why is that? For one, hardwood flooring is incredibly durable and long-lasting. In fact, it’s so resilient that hardwood flooring dating back to the 1600’s is still in use. While your carpet will likely need to be replaced in under a decade, your hardwood floor has the potential to last for decades and even centuries with proper maintenance.
Besides its strength and longevity, hardwood flooring also has an option for everyone. There are different textures, colors, grain patterns, widths, and more. The list goes on and on. Even indecisive buyers have a way to satisfy their changing preferences with just a snap of their fingers and a refinished floor. Goodbye warm, amber tones, and hello to cool, crisp gray.
The Initial Investment
Although hardwood flooring may have a slightly larger initial investment upfront when compared to other flooring options, it offers an important benefit – its long-term effect on a home’s value.
Yes, you heard that right. Unlike other flooring options such as carpet or concrete, hardwood flooring has the potential to put money spent right back in your pocket.
Studies have found that at least 54% of home buyers are willing to pay more for a home with hardwood flooring. Furthermore, over 87% of home buyers looking at homes above $100,000 want hardwood flooring; a percentage that goes up as home valuations increase.
Even smaller hardwood flooring installations are included when boosting home values. During an interview, a top-producing real estate agent noted that “condos with hardwood floors [sell] for an average of $10-$12k over their counterparts with carpet or less valuable flooring options.”
For a more detailed look at why hardwood flooring is one of the best home improvement investments, click here. Or keep reading to find out if hardwood flooring is worth it.
The Upkeep
Almost everyone can agree that flooring should be low maintenance and low stress. It should also be able to endure almost anything that life throws its way including pets, spills, and the wear and tear of everyday activities.
So, what type of flooring fits into that description? Answer: Hardwood flooring
After the initial investment and installation, nearly all of the work a hardwood floor needs is already completed. The remaining majority is nearly all just preventative efforts. Wipe up small spills as they occur, sweep away sand and large debris, and attach adhesive furniture floor protectors to chairs and other objects that are moved around frequently.
The Long-Term Effects (Health and Environmental)
Whether you are seeking a sustainable flooring option, a healthy flooring option, or a combination of both, hardwood flooring is the solution for you.
To start, sustainability and hardwood go hand-in-hand. Its efficient, low-energy production results in a carbon footprint that is 75% less than concrete or steel. And even after a hardwood floor is no longer in use and is removed, the remaining wood scraps can easily be recycled and repurposed.
Garrison Collection also takes pride in maintaining replenished forests. We select only the strongest and healthiest logs for our hardwood collections and plant new trees to compensate for harvested plants.
Hardwood is also a great flooring option not just for the environment, but for your health as well!
Rather than trapping contaminants as carpet does, hardwood flooring can easily be disinfected from allergens, dust, and debris. Carpets and other flooring materials can also potentially emit a cocktail of chemicals (VOCs or Violate Organic Compounds, that have the potential to negatively affect health.
Furthermore, the Environment Protection Agency states that wood flooring actually improves overall air quality in the home as it is hypoallergenic. Hardwood is also a carbon-neutral product that removes carbon dioxide from its surrounding environment, making the area it is installed in a much greener space!
The Final Analysis
Although the initial investment may be slightly higher, hardwood flooring makes up for it on multiple fronts. This includes –
- Countless options in every color, texture, size, and hardwood species
- Increased home valuations after installing hardwood flooring
- Low stress and low maintenance upkeep after the initial installation
- Added benefits to the environment and your health
We hope this handy guide helped you in deciding if hardwood flooring is worth it to you