Hardwood flooring is timeless. Plus, it’s a gorgeous addition to any home. If you’re seeking an undeniably durable, yet warm and inviting flooring material, you should certainly consider hardwood.

Now, the benefits of hardwood don’t stop there. So let’s take a closer looks. Here are the pros, as well as some of the cons, of hardwood. Read on, and feel free to learn more about all of our flooring options.

The Pros of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood is famously beautiful, durable, easy to clean, and it adds lasting value to your home. Plus, we carry a diverse catalog of hardwood flooring materials for you to peruse.

Aesthetics: Hardwood flooring is naturally beautiful. It just feels right in a home. Use hardwood flooring in any room in your home to give it a lively look. You can also select a color, grain, and stain which are perfectly suited to the look of the rest of your home. Match the hardwood floors with your kitchen cabinets to make your entire kitchen glow. Or use dark hardwood floors to contrast the white furniture in your living room. With First Quality Interiors’ hardwood floors, the possibilities are endless.

Durability: Hardwood is surprisingly durable, plus it can be fixed when most minor damage occurs (e.g. scuffs, scratches, and dings). Over the years, wood flooring can actually gain character (which is why we carry a selection of “weathered” woods, which look uniquely warm). And, if you put your flooring through lots of damage over the years, you can simply sand down the surface, refinish it, and voila, you have a brand new flooring surface.

Cleaning: Unlike carpet, hardwood is easy to clean, even when you accidentally spill a quart of milk on the floor. Simply get a mop and some wood floor cleaner, and get to work. Hardwood is naturally stain resistant, and cleaning your hardwood usually just means a quick sweep or mop.

Value: Hardwood retains its value in your home. While carpet can fade, become stained, or eventually lose its resilience, hardwood won’t change much over the years. With hardwood, your investment in high-quality flooring stays with your home.

Our Vast Catalog: There are so many hardwoods to choose from. We’ve partnered with hardwood producers (including Lauzon, Shaw, Karndean, Mohawk, and more), to bring our valued customers a selection of premium woods at affordable prices. You’re sure to find a hardwood that’s ideal for the atmosphere of your home.

The Cons of Hardwood Flooring

While hardwood is one of our most popular choices, some folks choose other products simply because hardwood is a bit more expensive, and it may require more maintenance. You’ll have to be sure to use hardwood-safe cleaning products to keep your surface pristine. You can read more about hardwood floor maintenance from one of our suppliers, Mohawk — take a look at their Hardwood Care & Maintenance page.

It’s rare, but hardwood is also prone to warp with high temperature swings and humidity changes.

Does hardwood require special care after an installation?

Your hardwood floor will be ready to use soon after it is installed. That said, you should give your hardwood a few hours to settle before you start walking on the new, finished surface. We recommend that you wait to walk on your freshly installed hardwood floor for at least six hours after an installation. Also, you should refrain from moving furniture onto your new floors for 48 hours, and it’s best to keep kids and pets from running around on your floors for 48 hours as well. We also recommend that you give your hardwood at least a week to breathe before placing area rugs on the surface.

How humid should my home be to keep my hardwood from warping or becoming damaged?

As you may know, humidity can damage your hardwood floors. Too much humidity will cause them to expand and warp, while too little humidity can create gaps between the boards, and it can leave them more susceptible to damage. Dry wood may even splinter or crack over time. We recommend that you keep rooms that have hardwood floor at a humidity level somewhere in the range of 35 percent to 55 percent. At this optimum level, your floors will have a longer life. If you’re concerned about the humidity levels in your home, you can invest in a humidistat to track the percentage of humidity in the air, and you can use a humidifier or dehumidifier to control the humidity throughout the spaces in your home.

Should I repair or replace my current hardwood floors?

Hardwood is a truly resilient flooring material. That said, it can be damaged beyond repair, and it will eventually need to be replaced. In most instances, it’s possible to simply sand and refinish the surface of your hardwood floors — one of the many benefits of choosing hardwood over laminate wood flooring. However, if you notice that your boards are very warped, they are cupping, or they are cracking and splintering, the hardwood may be beyond saving. In these instances, we recommend that you replace your hardwood floor entirely. If you’re unsure about the best option for your specific circumstances, simply reach out to us. We’ll take a look at your floors, and we can leave you with a quote, so that you can weigh your options.

What is the difference between hardwood and laminate?

Hardwood is entirely made out of wood, while laminate wood floors are comprised of a variety of natural and composite materials that have been pressed and glued together. Both options are highly durable, yet each has its own benefits and flaws. As we mentioned, hardwood can be sanded and refinished, while damaged laminate boards will need to be replaced entirely. That said, laminate boards are more resistant to damage that might otherwise cause scratches or dings on its surface. Both materials can last for decades on end. Hardwood generally lasts at least 25 years, although it can last a lifetime if it is properly installed and maintained.

Is hardwood flooring a durable flooring solution?

Absolutely. Hardwood flooring is a flooring solution that has been proven over time — in fact, hardwood floors have been in use for millenia. Again, hardwood floors can last for decades on end, and most hardwood floors last 25 years or more. Proper maintenance and refinishing could mean that your floors will last a lifetime. That said, hardwood isn’t impervious to damage. Be wary of spills that can damage or stain your wood, and refrain from dragging heavy furniture across the surface of your wood. Also, be mindful that animals can scratch the surface of your hardwood floors, especially larger dogs, and cats with sharp claws. Be sure to mitigate the humidity within the spaces of your home or building, and shoot for 35 to 55 percent humidity to keep your boards from warping or drying out.

Is an underlayment required for hardwood flooring?

An underlayment is a good idea for nearly any flooring material, hardwood included. We use underlayments to ensure that the surface is flat. Underlayments help to correct minor imperfections that can exist across the subfloor, leaving an ideal, flat surface on which to lay your hardwood. Underlayments also help to deaden noise that might otherwise reverberate through the wood floor. That’s especially important for multi-story buildings and homes, where hardwood flooring is installed on upper floors (lower floor residents won’t hear as much “stomping around” if an underlayment is in place under the hardwood floors). Underlayments also improve the efficiency of your home, since they provide a small barrier between the subsurface and the hardwood surface. Underlayments also aid in mitigating moisture that might otherwise penetrate the hardwood — which may, again, lead to warping. Finally, underlayments serve to provide a bit of cushion underfoot. While it may not make a huge difference as you walk over your hardwood surfaces, you may notice that your step is a bit softer and a little bit easier on your knees and ankles.

What kind of maintenance should I perform on my hardwood floors?

Most of the time, hardwood floors require little maintenance. Sweeping can go a long way to keep your surfaces clean and free from debris that can lead to scratches. You can also mop your floors with hardwood floor cleaner (do not use just water — it can damage and warp your floors!). There are a number of floor cleaners that are made specifically for hardwood floors, and we’d be happy to offer you some suggestions for your installation. Once every month or so, it’s also a good idea to apply a polish. Your hardwood’s finished surface can become pocked with tiny scratches and dents. Polishing your floors with a specialized sealant will ensure that these miniscule problems don’t turn into major problems — your surface will remain smooth and protected.

What Hardwood Maintenance is needed (cont'd)?

Over time (every five years or so), you may have to sand and refinish the surface of your hardwood floors. Be wary of deep gouges, and damage that can occur in highly trafficked areas. If you notice that the subsurface of your wood is exposed or damaged, it may be time to sand and refinish to ensure that your floors maintain their longevity. Take note, you don’t want to sand and refinish your floors prematurely, since you can only sand and refinish a certain number of times before the boards become too thin.

get started with first Quality Interiors

Have you decided on the right flooring material for your home? If so, it’s time to get started. Take a minute to use our product selector, so that you can find the perfect hardwood (or hardwoods) for your abode. Then, schedule a free flooring dimension measurement from the flooring professionals here at First Quality Interiors. We’ll swing by, take measurements of your floors, discuss the hardwood material(s) you’d like to use, and we’ll give you a quote. Then, it’s time to install!

Also, please get in touch with us if you have any questions about our flooring installation services, and feel free to explore our other flooring options, including carpet, vinyl tile, and laminate flooring!

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