Whenever you decide to update the look of a room, the first things you might think of are the paint color, the furnishings, the light fixtures, and the various accessories. All of those are important in giving a room a fresh new look, but many people might overlook the floor. That’s understandable since it is something we take for granted even though it is used more than anything else in the room. Nonetheless, a new floor can have a big impact on the way a room looks.
Of course, looks aren’t everything, and since a floor is used so often it has to be durable as well as attractive. If you want a floor that has both of those qualities, then you may be interested in hardwood flooring. That is because it provides an attractive, warm, and homey aesthetic to any room. Whereas stone or marble tile flooring can seem cold, wood flooring can feel more inviting. If durability is an issue, then there is no need to worry because wood floors can be extremely tough and long-lasting. Keep reading to find out which types of hardwood flooring are the most durable. But you can consult hardwood flooring experts to find out which type of hardwood flooring is best suited for you and your home.
The Most Durable Types of Hardwood Flooring
The most durable types of hardwood flooring that you can find are hickory, oak, ash, maple, walnut, ebony, and pecan. You can tell the durability of the flooring by looking at its Janka rating, which is a measurement of the toughness and durability of wood. A rating of 1290 or higher is what you are looking for if you want the most durable kind of hardwood flooring; that is the Janka rating of red oak, which is considered to be the industry standard. However, the toughest type of wood flooring is hickory, which has a Janka rating of 1820.
Before choosing the toughest type of hardwood flooring you can find, you should also keep comfort in mind as well, not to mention appearance. Durability is always important of course, but you also want the flooring to be comfortable when people walk on it and you want it to be pleasing to the eye as well. So while durability is important, you want to have a balance of all of those qualities.
The Pros and Cons of Hardwood Flooring
There is no one perfect type of flooring because all types have their advantages and disadvantages. You need to find out which qualities are most important to you and make your choice based on that decision. That being said, hardwood flooring has a lot of benefits that most homeowners will find very appealing.
The Pros of Hardwood Flooring
Low Maintenance – Hardwood floors are easy to clean and maintain and do not stain easily. Yes they do need some upkeep in the form of sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming, but so do all floors and hardwood floors are no more labor-intensive than other types of flooring. You need to use tools and products carefully, though. Invest in a high-quality hardwood floor cleaning machine, specially designed to use on the exquisite hardwood and make the already labor-intensive chore way easier and quicker.
Always in Style – There is a classic and timeless quality to wood flooring that means that they will always be in fashion no matter how much interior design styles change. That is because wood floors always look warm and elegant and they tend to go with practically every type of interior design.
Durability – That’s what this article is all about, but it’s worth restating that hardwood floors can be extremely durable and will stand up to stress in even the most highly-trafficked areas of the home.
Hypoallergenic – Hardwood floors are a natural allergy repellent so they are great for homes where one or more of the members have allergies. They are also great for homes with pets since they repel pet dander and pollen as well. Hardwood floors are even highly recommended for people who have asthma so they are a safe overall choice for any home.
A High Return on Investment (ROI) – Hardwood floors may be a little more expensive than other flooring types but they add greatly to the value of the home. So if you ever plan on selling your home in the future, consider adding hardwood floors to increase its value.
Environmentally Friendly – Most people are understandably concerned about the issue of deforestation and whether wood flooring and furniture contributes to it in any way. Fortunately, most wood is responsibly sourced with trees being replaced as soon as one is cut down, which prevents deforestation from occurring. There is some illegally sourced wood but you can always tell if wood is responsibly sourced by checking if it has a certificate from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
The Cons of Hardwood Flooring
They Can Be Expensive – Even though they add value to the home, there is no denying that hardwood floors can be a costly investment. The fact that they last long and have a high ROI are good, but not everyone can afford the initial investment.
They Can Get Cold – All floor types that are not carpeted can get cold and hardwood floors are no exception. You can use underfloor heating on some types of hardwood floors but not all. So if the cold is a concern, find out if underfloor heating is an option on the type of hardwood flooring in which you are interested.
They Can Be Noisy – With the exception of carpeting, most flooring can be loud, but even so, many people are surprised at how loud hardwood flooring can get. Many get used to it and the type of footwear used by the occupants of the home also plays a role, but in general noise should not be too much of a concern with hardwood flooring.
Susceptibility to Water Damage – Hardwood flooring can get discolored and warped if it gets too wet and water-damaged wood can harbor mold and mildew. However, that is only a concern if hardwood flooring is installed in areas like bathrooms where moisture is a concern. As long as you avoid placing hardwood floors in rooms where a lot of moisture gathers, this will not be a concern.
Find Out If Hardwood Floors are Right for Your Home
There are a lot of advantages to hardwood flooring besides its durability, but there are some disadvantages as well. The same goes for every type of flooring since nothing is perfect, so you need to weigh the pros and cons when deciding if hardwood flooring is right for you. However, you should not have to worry about durability or toughness since most hardwood floors can stand up to heavy foot traffic as much as any other choice of flooring.