One of the most popular features that new buyers look for in a home is hardwood flooring. Keep in mind, however, that despite its popularity, there are some definite advantages and disadvantages to this type of flooring.

These days you can choose from more than different makes of wood for your hardwood floor, as flooring is also available in different patterns and installations. If you don’t want to choose a pre-made color, you can even get unfinished planks that allow you to pick out the exact stain you want. Nonetheless, there are many pros and cons that come with hardwood flooring that you need to consider before installing it in your home.

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

It’s so much easier to match furniture to a hardwood floor. Unlike carpet, wood is a neutral that goes with any type or style of furniture whether its Arts and Crafts furniture or contemporary wood dining room furniture. Another benefit is that if you do decide to redecorate, you can easily create any new style and the floor will still match. This isn’t always true with some carpets and tiles that only match certain themes and styles.

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

Finally, with the popularity of hardwood floors these days, it may be 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
For people considering putting hardwood in their homes, the price is often the biggest deterrent. If you go with real hardwood flooring, not the laminate stuff, it can get pretty expensive. If you’re unable to do the installation yourself, you will also end up paying a contractor, which can cost you a great deal more.

The presence of a pet in the home might also influence your decision about hardware flooring. If you decide on this type of flooring, you need to be aware that it can be easily scratched by a cat’s or dog’s claws. There’s nothing worse than a newly installed beautiful hardwood floor with scratches all over it from your pet. It’s also important to consider that high-heeled shoes can likewise leave dents and scratches.

In most circumstances, hardwood floors are significantly colder than carpet. This is particularly true for those ground-floor hardwoods in homes that are built on a slab. This can be a major con for people who live where it gets cold in the winter. You can get rid of some of the chill with area rugs, but then you don’t get to see the beauty of the wood as much.

Finally, for those of you with small children, hardwood flooring doesn’t always make the best play area. This type of flooring is substantially harder than carpet. Not only can it be tough on crawling babies, but it creates a rather hard landing for those who are attempting to walk and falling in the process.

Installing hardwood floors in your home has both its pros and cons. You’ll need to consider your own personal circumstance to determine what’s the best option for you.