Hardwood flooring has become increasingly popular with homeowners over the last twenty or so years, compared with carpet, and even tiled flooring - and it’s not difficult to see why.
Many people prefer hardwood flooring due to the more classic look it offers, while others prefer it for how easy it is to clean and maintain, and not to mention how versatile it is.
When hardwood floors started to become more popular in the UK around the mid-nineties, the styles were limited to a few types of laminate flooring - unless, of course, you wanted to pay a small fortune for something like genuine parquet flooring, or solid wood floors.
Things have moved on from then, however, and with hardwood flooring being very much the mainstream choice in the UK, there are countless styles, colours, and even finishes when it comes to hardwood flooring.
From classic styles like herringbone laminate, and easy install click parquet flooring, updating your home with the hardwood floor of your choice has never been easier - the only problem you might have been choosing the one you like best.
However, as with many things when it comes to home renovations and upgrades, ensuring you make the right choice is important, and hardwood flooring is no exception to this.
Not all hardwood flooring is the same, so in this post, we’re going to look at the benefits of this type of flooring, as well as how to ensure you choose the right kind of hardwood floor for your needs.
Hardwood Flooring Can Improve Your Home’s Appearance
Hardwood flooring is renowned for combining style and function to make spaces feel more open and comfortable.
Most people will agree that after replacing a carpet with hardwood flooring, a room seems more spacious, feels cleaner, and overall brighter, and more welcoming.
Although carpets may initially appear the best option for homes in a colder climate, especially if you have children, they can quickly become worn and dated.
It’s also a misconception that hardwood flooring is going to feel cold, and although this may have been the case when laminate flooring initially made its debut, it’s no longer true.
Depending on the colour of wood you choose, for example, a solid oak effect floor, or a lovely walnut laminate, you’ll find that it makes a room feel more warm and cosy than it would have with carpet - especially if you combine it with underfloor heating.
Hardwood Floors Are Easy to Keep Clean
Families with young children and pets often prefer hardwood flooring because of how easy it is to keep clean.
Unlike carpet, wood floors can be steam cleaned, or simply swept using a brush. You can also vacuum your hardwood floor if you prefer a deeper clean.
Another remarkable thing about wood flooring is that if there are any spillages, you can simply wipe them up there and then without the need for deep cleaning or stain removal treatments.
Hardwood Flooring is Extremely Durable
Unlike carpet and tiled flooring, solid wood flooring can withstand a lot more. Carpets can be ripped quite easily, and tiles can be cracked, which for both usually means extra work and the cost to have them replaced.
Although wood flooring is certainly not 100% damage-proof, by the very nature of their design, they’re intended for heavy use, which makes them perfect for busy households, commercial buildings, and anywhere a lot of foot traffic is expected.
If you take care of your hardwood floors, they can last for decades without ever looking worn or needing replaced.
Hardwood Flooring May Increase Your Property Value
If you’re looking to sell your home, then one of the best ways to get potential buyers interested is by giving the decor a bit of a refresh.
If you currently have carpet in your home, then now is a suitable time to consider replacing this with hardwood such as laminate.
You certainly don’t need to spend a fortune on this, but you might be surprised by the difference it will make when it comes to receiving offers.
Most people prefer hardwood flooring because it’s much cleaner than carpet, and it’s not something they will feel the need to replace right away in most cases since it goes with any kind of decor and furniture.
Solid Flooring is Better for People with Allergies
Unlike carpet, which tends to gather pollutants like dust, pet dander, pollen, germs, and dirt, solid and hardwood floors don't. Wood floors can also be cleaned more easily simply by wiping, brushing, and mopping.
Whereas with carpet, you need chemical-based shampoos, and large machinery to get them professionally cleaned, which isn’t great for anyone who suffers from skin allergies, or respiratory conditions like asthma.
Allergy sufferers find that their symptoms vastly improve when replacing carpet with hardwood flooring, so if you or any members of your family suffer with any conditions like this, hardwood floors should be a consideration.
Hardwood Flooring is Better for the Environment and Your Wallet
Hardwood floors are long-lasting, simple to maintain, and better for the environment due to not needing to be replaced often and being made from natural materials that won’t end up in a landfill unable to be broken down correctly.
This also means that, although hardwood flooring may seem like a higher cost initially, you’ll save money overall - not just on the cleaning and maintenance, but because you don’t need to replace it every few years.
How to Choose the Right Solid Floor
If you're considering replacing your flooring, solid and hardwood floors offer benefits, and although it’s not easy to go wrong when choosing this type of flooring, it’s still important to ensure you make the right choice for your needs.
For example, if you’re choosing a floor for your bathroom or kitchen, then you’ll need to make sure you go for something like engineered wood or waterproof vinyl flooring since these are both able to withstand the high moisture and humidity levels of these rooms.
Let Us Help
We understand how overwhelming it can sometimes be to pick the right flooring for any room in your home, but especially if you’re new to hardwood flooring or solid flooring.
So, whether you prefer to shop online and browse our extensive range of waterproof vinyl flooring solutions, or you’d like to visit our fully stocked Warrington showroom, our team of friendly experts at Floor Land are here to help with any questions you have.
From helping with design and planning, to choosing the right type of materials, we’re here to ensure you find the right type of flooring for you, at the best possible price.