From the homey warmth of a country cottage to the stylish elegance of a modern penthouse, hardwood floors have long been a symbol of craftsmanship and elegance. 

But, in spite of their timeless appeal, hardwood floors aren’t without their intricacies. How do you decide which option is right for your home?

If you’re trying to decide whether to install hardwood or are sorting through the numerous hardwood flooring options, this article about the pros and cons of hardwood flooring will give you the insight you need to make an informed decision.

pros and cons of hardwood floors

Table of Contents

Are Hardwood Floors a Good Idea?

The short answer is, it depends. 

Whether hardwood floors are the best option for your home will depend on:

  • The home
  • Your allowable budget; and
  • Your aesthetic plans

To help you answer this question for yourself, we’ll take a deep dive into the pros and cons of hardwood flooring below.

If you’re in the market for flooring, let the experts at Interior Motives Flooring, in Auburn, WA, guide your path. When you work with us, you’ll receive one-on-one support from our flooring team, and you can even visualize your flooring selections with the help of our unique Roomvo.

Through the use of AR (augmented reality), Roomvo creates a realistic visualization of your flooring options in your existing space, complete with your existing furniture and decor. Roomvo eliminates the guesswork and gives you confidence that you’ve made the right decision. 

Contact us today or visit our showroom to browse our extensive selection of quality wood, vinyl, tile, carpet, and laminate flooring options.

pros and cons of hardwood flooring

What Are the Pros and Cons of Hardwood Flooring?

When you are choosing hardwood flooring, there are so many factors to consider. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of hardwood floors, including: 

Pros: 

  • Enhancing the value of your home
  • Creating a homey atmosphere
  • Durability
  • Low volatile organic compound levels
  • One-of-a-kind presentation
  • Allergy-friendly
  • And more

Cons: 

  • Lack of water resistance
  • Easily scratched
  • May be more expensive than other flooring options

8 Pros of Hardwood Flooring

#1: Increases the Value of Your Home

The simplicity, beauty, and versatility of hardwood floors add a level of luxury to your decor.

They’re also a great choice when it comes to a long-term investment in your home since the value of well-maintained hardwood flooring appreciates the value of your property.

Year after year, hardwood flooring is included in flooring trends, and hardwood floors are often at the forefront of a potential homebuyer’s “must-have” list. 

Trading in the option of wall-to-wall carpet for hardwood flooring could potentially make your home easier to sell when the time comes.

#2: Creates a Natural Warmth

Hardwood floors provide a warm, cozy atmosphere that gives a sense of hominess to your space. Plus the neutral background of wood lends itself to a plethora of decorating options. 

Whereas carpeting is generally chosen to complement a room’s color scheme, true hardwood floors offer a more versatile palate that can be stained to a color that best fits your decorating tastes. 

If manufactured hardwood flooring is more your style, you can choose from a variety of different types of wood, textures, stains, and finishes to provide an abundance of options.

#3: Decades of Durability

With the right attention to care, your hardwood floors will last throughout your lifetime and then some. 

Although it costs more to install, hardwood flooring lasts much longer than carpet and can be refinished when necessary.

According to the experts, it’s generally best to refinish your true hardwood floors by sanding and applying a new coat of finish every seven to ten years.

The exact amount of time between refinishing will depend on:

  • The type of wood your floors are made of
  • The thickness of the flooring: and 
  • How many times the floor has already been refinished 

Engineered hardwood floors are formed with a layer of real wood on top with an engineered plywood core. This type of hardwood flooring can be refinished, but it’s usually only recommended to do so once or twice in its lifespan.

#4: Low VOCs

A VOC, or volatile organic compound, is a chemical that has high vapor pressure coupled with low water solubility at room temperature. This means the molecules in VOCs evaporate into the air. 

A good example of this is nail polish remover. When you place it on your nails, it immediately begins to evaporate as it transforms into gas and assimilates into the air you breathe.

When it comes to the various types of laminate flooring materials, VOCs are often found in products such as:

  • Stains
  • Varnishes
  • Adhesives: and 
  • Many finishes

In contrast, natural materials such as true hardwood and manufactured wood flooring are typically classified as low-VOC. 

It’s vital to be aware of VOCs within your home because many of these substances can be harmful to your health.

Some of the health effects from breathing the fumes from VOCs may include:

  • Eye, nose, and throat irritation
  • Allergic reactions 
  • Allergic skin reaction
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Loss of coordination 
  • Long-term damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system
  • Cancer

are hardwood floors a good idea

#5: Truly Unique Design (No Repeated Pattern)

No two pieces of wood are identical. When you choose hardwood flooring you’ll be guaranteed a beautifully unique, one-of-a-kind floor that creates an unmatched aesthetic appeal. 

Each different type of wood provides its own coloring and grain. Here are a few of the different timber options you can consider for your hardwood flooring:

  • Oak
  • Teak
  • Brazilian walnut
  • Hickory
  • Tigerwood
  • Brazilian cherry
  • Santos mahogany
  • Australian cypress

#6: Allergen Reducer (Compared to Carpet)

Do you or a loved one suffer from allergies? If so, you’ll definitely want to check into hardwood flooring. 

Dirt, pollen, and pet dander can easily become trapped in carpet or rug fibers and become a major irritant for allergy sufferers. The nonporous, smooth surface of hardwood flooring allows you to quickly and thoroughly sweep or vacuum the contaminants away. 

If you want to really cover your bases and be sure every trace of allergen is removed, you can follow up with a quick once-over with a damp mop.

#7: Modern Engineered Hardwood: Some Level of Water Resistance

Whereas engineered hardwood flooring is not inherently water-resistant, its ability to repel moisture can be significantly enhanced by the method of installation and the type of finish used to seal the wood.

The two main finish options for manufactured wood floors are oil and lacquer. Oil finishes soak deeply into the wood while lacquer finishes form a thick, water-resistant layer on the surface. 

The addition of resin or waterproofing polyurethane can provide your manufactured hardwood floors with an even greater level of water resistance. 

#8: Modern Engineered Hardwood: Increased Variety of Styles Available

Engineered hardwood floors come in a wide variety of styles and finishes that vary based on the wood’s:

  • Species 
  • Texture
  • Pattern; and 
  • Finish

Here are just a few of the options available for engineered hardwood flooring:

  • Species:
      • White oak
      • European white oak
      • Blonde 
      • Whitewashed
      • Honey and colored-copper 
      • Gray 
      • Greige 
  • Texture:
      • Hand scraped 
      • Wire brushed 
      • Distressed 
  • Pattern:
      • Herringbone 
      • Wide plank 
  • Finish:
    • Smoked 
    • Satin
    • Matte
    • Oiled 

pros and cons of hardwood flooring

3 Cons of Hardwood Flooring

#1: Not Waterproof

Water is the enemy of hardwood flooring.

When hardwood flooring encounters moisture, the wood fibers expand which can lead to warping and discoloration.

Things like improper cleaning techniques, spills, pet mishaps, and flooding can result in water damage that will likely require extensive — and expensive — repair work.

#2: Less Scratch-Resistant

Both manufactured and true hardwood flooring are more susceptible to damage from scratches than vinyl flooring or ceramic tile.

For this reason, hardwood is sometimes less appealing to homeowners with kids or larger dogs. Shoes, furniture, and dirt can also cause scratches on the surface of hardwood flooring that can result in a floor that looks aged before its time.

#3: Not as Cost-Effective as Some Alternative Flooring Options

The fact is that hardwood flooring is generally more expensive than most other alternative flooring options. 

However, if you’re able to find the margin in your budget, the benefits of hardwood flooring we outlined above can far outweigh the additional cost.

If you’re looking for ways to make hardwood flooring an option, you may want to consider financing with the understanding that your ROI will be higher with hardwood than it will be with other flooring products.

For a landlord who is considering flooring for a rental home, the cost of hardwood flooring may be prohibitive. For personal homes, however, it is often worth the investment.

pros and cons of hardwood for floors

Considering a Hardwood Flooring Install? Discuss Your Options With the Professionals at Interior Motives Flooring

Let the experienced team at Interior Motives Flooring take the confusion out of choosing your hardwood flooring. 

We’ve been installing floors since 1989 in Auburn, WA, and can help you select just the right flooring for your home. Using the latest AR technology, our Roomvo can even help you see exactly what your flooring will look like in your space before making a final decision. New flooring doesn’t get any easier!

And if hardwood isn’t the option you’re looking for, the professionals at Interior Motives Flooring can also help you with:

  • Tile flooring
  • Vinyl flooring
  • Hardwood flooring
  • Carpet 
  • Laminate

No matter what type of flooring you choose, we’ve got you covered.

For more information, or to explore the hundreds of flooring options we offer, call us or visit our showroom today. 

pros and cons of hardwood flooring