Hardwood floors remain the most popular choice for homes. Although there are several flooring options that mimic the look of hardwood, nothing beats the original hardwood floor.
Here we will give you the three main reasons to choose natural solid wood floors.
• Durability: As long as proper care is taken, hardwood can last a lifetime. And it is easy to maintain. It should be swept, vacuumed, mopped and steam cleaned regularly to keep the natural wood in good condition. While solid wood floors can be an expensive option, however, it will save you money in the long run as maintenance is not expensive and you can avoid the cost of repairs. Additionally, the colors of natural wood do not fade over time, on the contrary, the patina improves over time.
• Valuable: For all the aspects mentioned, natural wood floors can increase the value of your home. They are cleaner than carpets, since they can be cleaned easily and are also a hypoallergenic option and do not emit toxic fumes. So the value of wood goes far beyond personal use.
• Style: You have creative control over your hardwood floors, even years after installing them. You can add light or dark stripes, choose a pattern, and choose tiles that have knots. If after several years you want to change the color, most floors require you to rip them out and start from scratch, but not hardwood. Depending on your flooring warranty, you can refinish your hardwood floors and update them to your personal taste. If you are sold on solid wood, here are some of the most recommended natural solid wood species options.
• Oak: This type of wood has stood the test of time in both durability and popularity, this species comes in two options, red and white oak. This type of wood is very affordable.
• Maple: With the lighter tone of the wood, this hardwood works best in rustic homes.
• Walnut: This is the easiest hardwood to clean due to its soft nature and comes in two different types:
American and Brazilian.
• Bamboo: Basically it is not hardwood but grass compressed into boards. Because it is a grass and grows in abundance, this is a more environmentally friendly flooring option. This type of flooring may not be as durable.
• Pine: Due to its lower carbon footprint during production and transportation, this wooden floor is one of the most sustainable options. It improves with age since its color will change over time.