Benefits of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring has become a very popular choice for many homeowners and for good reason. There are a wide variety of benefits that make the investment in wood floors incredibly worthwhile. If you’re choosing between hardwood flooring or a different flooring option, consider some of these excellent advantages to wood.

Easy to Clean

While their high-quality, elegant look may seem high maintenance, hardwood floors are actually very easy to clean. They do not naturally accumulate much dust or debris. A simple vacuum or dry-mop will keep your home dust-free. It’s important to remember these tips when cleaning your hardwood floors:

• Promptly wipe up all spills to protect your floor from water damage.
• Do not pour cleaners or any liquid directly onto the flooring.
• Never use a steam cleaner or steam mop on your hardwood flooring.

Long-Lasting

With proper care, quality hardwood flooring can easily last 100 years or more, depending on the wood type, humidity of your home and upkeep. While maintenance is important, regular cleaning and caring for your floors will allow you to enjoy your investment for years to come. Some wood species are more susceptible to color variations over the years and should be appreciated for their natural beauty and not mistaken as a defect or problem. Using mats or rugs (without rubber backing) is an easy way to protect your hardwood in high traffic areas.

Durable

Choosing the right wood species is important when durability is a focus. Soft woods like pine and fir can dent or scratch easily and shouldn’t be selected for high traffic areas. A hardwood like Brazilian cherry is a much more durable option. The finish you choose for your wood floor is another way to ensure resilience through the years. Depending on your hardwood wear-layer the option to re-sand and refinish your floors allows you to keep your wood floor looking like new for years to come.

Diverse Aesthetic Options

Hardwood floor options are nearly endless, with thousands of different colors, finishes, styles and species available. From parquet flooring to floor medallions and borders, the options for customizing your wood floor are boundless. Wood flooring offers unparalleled aesthetic selections for homes and businesses alike.

Enhanced Acoustics

Solid wood flooring can offer either a rich echo, or the ability to absorb sound. While it’s easy to overlook wood floors for carpeting when noise is a concern, modern installation techniques allow hardwood flooring to be as effective in sound absorption as other flooring options. Depending on the installation method, homeowners can control the level of walking noise or echoing to meet each room’s needs.

Affordable Repairs

Compared to other flooring options like carpeting, hardwood floor repairs can be less expensive. There are a number of products available on the market to help with smaller scratches. Loose boards or gaps can also be addressed without replacing the entire room’s floor. Scratches or general wear and tear are easily remedied by re-sanding and sealing, instead of a full replacement.

Environmentally Friendly

According to the National Wood Flooring Association, sustainable forest management makes wood flooring a renewable material that provides lasting benefits to homeowners long after installation. Some interesting environmental facts on wood floors include:

• Better indoor air quality
• Carbon neutral product
• Production uses less water and energy to produce

While you’re considering wood floor for your benefit, it’s also important to note that hardwood flooring adds long-term value to your home making it easier to sell for a higher price when the time comes to move on. At Oshkosh Designs, we understand the value of investing in hardwood and are proud to offer handcrafted wood flooring and home products, custom made in Wisconsin. Our experienced representatives are ready to answer your questions, please contact us today.