Most people know the basics about wood flooring. It’s durable, beautiful, and stylish. But there are lots of interesting and obscure facts about the history, sources, and design of hardwood floors. Keep reading to learn 6 interesting facts about hardwood floors.
1. Hardwood floors increase real estate value.
What’s more desirable, linoleum tile floors or shiny new hardwood floors? To most people, hardwood is the obvious choice and they’re willing to pay more for it. 9 out of 10 real estate agents agree that hardwood floors increase a property’s value, which means you get a great return on investment.
2. Hardwood floors can be refinished up to 10 times.
What’s great about hardwood floors is that they can be refinished, which restores them to looking brand new. While old, stained carpets eventually need to be replaced, hardwood floors have a very long shelf life and they can be restored without shelling out for a whole new floor. The average ¾ inch thick hardwood floor can be refinished up to 10 times!
3. Hardwood floors are hypoallergenic.
Compared to carpets, hardwood floors are much more hypoallergenic. Because they are a flat surface, they don’t trap allergens in the same way carpets do. With regular dusting, vacuuming, and mopping, hardwood floors can be the ideal flooring for someone who suffers from dust mite or animal allergies. Additional information can be found at the Relative Space website.
4. The harder the wood, the less dents and scratches you’ll experience.
There’s a reason they’re called hard wood floors. People don’t use soft woods for flooring because they’re prone to scratches and dents. Some of the hardest wood choices include cherry, mahogany, hickory, maple, and ash. You can talk to a wood flooring expert for recommendations for your particular lifestyle and aesthetics. For example, if you have children and pets, you’ll need a very durable wood that doesn’t scratch easily. If you’re a single person who doesn’t tend to drag your furniture around, you may have some more leeway!
5. Hardwood floors are a classic floor choice.
Humans have been using wood for flooring as long as we’ve been building homes using mud. While the first human buildings may have had a dirt floor, soon humans learned to use wood for flooring. Many people seek out older real estate because these homes frequently have original hardwood installed.
Whether you’re refinishing an antique hardwood floor or choosing something for your new place, you can’t go wrong with hardwood. It’s a classic choice.
6. Hardwood floors are easy to maintain.
Some people may be spooked by the idea of finishes, polishing, and the risk of warping the wood. But it couldn’t be simpler to maintain hardwood floors. Simply sweep or vacuum regularly, and mop with a damp, but not soaking wet mop head. Some people like to use a microfiber mop with just hot water, but you can also add some vinegar, or use a specialty item like Murphy’s Oil Soap. Whatever you do, avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or anything that’s not recommended for wood floors.
