Hardwood flooring is aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, durable, and it can be refinished multiple times. With so many benefits, why should you not invest in hardwood throughout your whole home? Well, every up has its downs, but that does not mean these beautiful floors are not worth the investment. Hardwood may be the perfect solution your home is missing, yet having a better understanding of the product never hurts. Join us as we explore the other side of the coin and see some of the cons in hardwood flooring.
CON’s
Cost
Home investments can be pricey, and hardwood is no exception. The cost of the product, specialized tools, and installation can make hardwood flooring a more costly investment. However, the durability of this flooring and return on investment in real estate may be worth the long-term investment. And not all hardwood floors are equally expensive, either. For instance, the cost to install engineered hardwood floors is often lower than the cost to install solid hardwood floors.
Noise
Hardwood reduces hollow sounds and can improve the home’s acoustics. Therefore, hardwood is installed in dance studios. However, this allows the sound waves to travel very easily and does not dampen unwanted noise. To reduce sound, you may want to invest in a cork underlayment or area rugs.
Water
Water is not hardwood flooring’s friend. The planks will expand and contract and become damaged. It is not a good practice to put hardwood near watery areas in the home like bathrooms or laundry rooms.
Subfloor
Unfortunately, hardwood floors cannot be installed over any surface. Hardwood is an organic material and even the best hardwood floor brands can expand and contract due to temperature and moisture levels. Concrete retains a lot of moisture and can damage the floor. While some engineered hardwoods can be installed over concrete by gluing the planks down, it is not recommended.
Remember, not all hardwood flooring is created equal. All woods have different scratch resistant level, stain different, and come engineered or solid. While the pros may outweigh the cons, it is essential to understand if hardwood is the best suit for you. If you missed part one, where we talked about the pro’s, visit it here.
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