These days there are many different types of hardwood flooring available, not only in different makes of wood, but in different patterns and installations. You don't even necessarily have to go with a pre-made color. These days there are unfinished hardwood flooring planks available that allow you to pick out the exact stain you want. However, when it comes to selecting this type of flooring, you need to consider all the pros and cons that come with having hardwood floors in your home.



Pros of Hardwood Floors

One of the greatest benefits of hardwood flooring is the look. Most people find hardwood floor much more beautiful and attractive than either carpet or tile. Flooring comes in a variety of different woods, from oak and cherry to bamboo.

As wood is a neutral that goes with practically any style, you'll find that it's much easier to match furniture with a hardwood floor than with carpet whether its Arts & Crafts style Amish furniture or contemporary wood dining room furniture. What's great about hardwoods is that if you do decide to redecorate, you can easily change the style of the room and the floor will still match—unlike some carpets and tiles that only match certain themes and styles.

Hardwood flooring is also very low-maintenance when it comes to cleaning. To keep them clean, all you need to do is a simple vacuuming or sweeping with a duster every few days. Then about once a month, use a wood cleaner on the floor to help keep its shine. The cleanliness of hardwood floors is especially beneficial if anyone in your home has allergies, as they are much cleaner than carpet.

With their current popularity, hardwood floors often make it much easier to sell your home than if you have carpet. Most home builders and contractors consider hardwood floors and upgrade. Thus you may find that you can increase the price of your home if you have this type of flooring.

Cons of Hardwood Floors

A major downside to hardwood flooring is the price. Real hardware flooring (not that laminate stuff) is quite expensive. You may also have to pay additional contractor's fees for installation if you're unable to install it yourself, which can be quite expensive.

Another caution with hardware flooring is if you have pets. After all, cats and dogs are notorious for scratching hardwood flooring. It would be heartbreaking to have scratches all over your newly installed beautiful hardwood floor. The same holds true for high-heeled shoes, which can also leave dents and scratches.

Hardwood flooring is also much colder than carpet, particularly when it's installed on the ground floor of homes that are built on slabs. For people who live where the winter months get cold, this is a major con. This can be partially remedied by placing rugs over the hardwood, but then you lose some of the beauty of the wood.

Finally, there are some important considerations for those with small children. After all, hardwood floors don't always make the best play area. Obviously, this type of flooring is much harder than a soft carpet and can be tough on crawling babies, not to mention those who are attempting to walk and are falling quite often.

As with practically any homeowner decision, there are both pros and cons to a hardwood floor. As the homeowner, you need to assess your situation to determine the best choice for you.