Ever wondered why many homeowners are changing their carpeted floors to hardwood?

It’s no secret that choosing the right type of flooring is among the most significant decisions you will ever make. We’ve all been there.

And let’s face it…

Everyone has their own point of view on which flooring to go for, making it even more challenging to choose – until you realize that you have plenty of reasons to switch to hardwood floors.

Why People Switch to Hardwood Floors – And Why You Should, Too

Sure, a lot of people would go for carpets for the comfort they offer among other things. However, they are not as great as hardwood floors. Just ask someone who has switched from carpets (or even linoleum).

The truth is hardwood flooring is fantastic in so many ways.

Wait! Let me explain:

It has a classic look – which you can easily verify if you check out galleries of this type of floor – and with proper care, it can last several decades.

Still not convinced?

Here are even more reasons why you should have hardwood floors installed throughout your home:

Hardwood Flooring Can Grow Old with You

Linoleum is prone to scratches whereas carpets and their pads wear out. They also lose color and may retain stains, which can be revolting to look at. Tiles, on the other hand, are fragile because of their brittleness and their sealant naturally degrades over time.

But here’s the exciting thing with hardwood floors: they stay the same. Of course, you need to provide proper care and maintenance, but the beauty of this type of flooring is that it will not wear out.

Hardwood floors do not rot and worsen over time. Carpets may last years, but hardwood flooring can last generations.

Buy Once, Cry Once.

That’s the idea behind hardwood floors.

Not gonna lie, they can be expensive, especially if you choose the more luxurious types. Still, hardwood flooring will last a long time. Over time, you’ll come to realize your savings because of its longevity.

Yes, it is true.

You will spend more upfront than most other flooring types, but it will not demand any required maintenance. The lack of repairs and replacements will pay for itself.

Want a Cleaner House? Have a Cleaner Floor.

Another benefit is that you will enter a whole other dimension when it comes to floor cleaning with hardwood flooring. Let us compare again. With carpets, they absorb whatever you may have in your house. Their color reflects their life cycle and other people can easily tell your carpets have been around for quite some time. White turns to gray and brown becomes dirty – or dirtier – brown.

Meanwhile, hardwood floors will not give you those issues. If there is crud on your floors, you will see them right there. There is no absorption so you can easily see which parts need some cleaning. As a result, you will feel motivated to clean your floor and keep it shiny and spotless all the time.

It’s the Best Choice for People with Allergies.

If you or your loved ones have allergies, hardwood flooring is your best option. Carpets typically absorb dander, pollen, and other things that irritate those with allergies. With the hypoallergenic hardwood flooring, you do not have to worry about these problems, which is why it is an excellent addition to your health management strategy.

More Health Benefits to Offer

What if no one in your household has allergies, but you want everything in your home to be good for your health, including your floors? No problem! Hardwood flooring is beneficial to your health.

For instance, if you have joint, leg, feet, or back pains, cork is a hardwood flooring material that we often suggest. It is softer than other materials and is therefore gentle on your body, particularly under your feet. It also has antimicrobial features, so bacteria cannot breed.

Other types of hardwood materials, such as bamboo, are good for your health – especially if you compare them to carpets. While it is true that carpets can give you a cozy environment, they also make dust mites, bacteria, and other allergens as comfy as you.

Imagine if you have wall-to-wall carpeting in your home. Millions upon millions of dust mites keep multiplying, and they release allergens that can make you and your family sick.

Carpets also trap bacteria, and they are dusty, while hardwood flooring (as mentioned) is easy to clean. You do not have to call a professional to get rid of stains or have your floor polished unless you do not have the time to carry out these tasks.

For households with infants or kids, hardwood floor will always be the safer option than carpets. While you can always vacuum your carpets to your heart’s content to make sure they do not have germs and bacteria in them, they will deteriorate faster than ever.

Also, carpets have chemicals in them that can be toxic. Hardwood, on the other hand, is a natural product with extremely low chemical emissions.

Why Hardwood Staircases are In and Carpets are Out

Aside from its durability, choosing hardwood for your staircase has numerous benefits, such as:

• Mopping and sweeping are the only chores you need to do unlike with carpets where you have to keep vacuuming them.
• Hardwood adds value to your home.
• They make your place more inviting, warm, and appealing.
• They last for a very long time.

As mentioned, you have no worries about allergens like dust particles with hardwood floors, which is why your staircase should also use this type of flooring.

Light or Dark Hardwood? Tips to Make the Choice Easier

Most people find it difficult to choose between a dark-colored or light-colored wood. Luckily, we have pulled together some recommendations so you can select faster and more efficiently. Here are some cases when going for dark-colored wood makes sense:

• The space you have is well-lit or has lots of windows.
• You want to make a bold statement.
• You want the room to have a warm look.
• You do not mind having floors with some light scratches.

As for light wood, here are situations when it is the better choice:

• You want to brighten the room.
• You have a dark room with only a few windows around.
• You want a classic look.
• The floor should hide debris, scratches, and dirt.

Still cannot decide? It’s a good thing you can split the difference. One recommendation is cherry, which is an excellent compromise since it is not too dark and not too light. It has a lush, reddish color that will vitalize the room but it will not show blemishes compared to the darker counterparts.

The Battle between Hardwood and Laminate

Let’s cut to the chase: hardwood is better than laminate, mainly because it is a higher-quality material. Laminate merely is particleboard that has a photo layer to make it look like wood. On top of that, it has a sheet of plastic, while hardwood is 100% wood. Still, you may have some reasons why laminate fits you.

In truth, laminate flooring is cheaper and easier to install than hardwood floors. It also does not need recoating or finishing. However, this aspect can be a disadvantage since a damaged finish can never be repaired. You can expect to have laminate floors for a maximum of 10 years. Water infiltration, UV rays, and scratches can easily shorten its lifespan.

On the other hand, hardwood flooring will last a lifetime. You may need to recoat it periodically, but with proper care, it can stay sturdy and beautiful for a very long time.

With the durability, the appeal, and other factors, it is easy to see that hardwood floors are the clear winner over laminate, carpets, and other types of flooring.