The choice between installing Hardwood Flooring, or just tossing on a new rug, isn’t a hard decision at all.
Hardwood Flooring vs. carpeting is a question a lot of people come up against, when considering improvements to their home. Carpet’s key argument in this debate is that it’s warmer on bare feet in the morning, when it’s cold. And who want’s cold feet? I know I don’t. And there are inexpensive, lasting solutions to that one issue which I’ll cover in a moment. But for now, lets talk about all the advantages a Hardwood Floor has over carpeting.
Hardwood Floors should last as long as your home does.
If you have your hardwood floor installed professionally, using industry recommended practices and quality materials, there is no reason for it to need replacing any sooner than the walls. With adequate care and cleaning, hardwood floors have been known to last for many decades, sometimes over a century. The flooring industry is filled with stories of people who have purchased an older home, only to discover exquisite hardwood floors hidden under ratty, dull carpeting. Which brings up my next point:
Carpets hold on to dirt and stains, mold and mildew.
While your hardwood floors can be maintained with very little effort, a carpet can be home to any number of smells, stains, mites and related moisture problems. They require special shampoos for pets, dining areas and high-traffic sections. Every year, some vacuum company will offer a New and Improved vacuum, which they promise will get ALL the dirt out, THIS time.
Point being, carpets require almost constant upkeep if they are to remain new looking, and they have a very finite lifespan. Just because you cannot see the dirt and grim at the bottom of the pile, does not mean it isn’t abrading the fibers of your carpet every time you walk across the floor.
Hardwood floors are very easy to maintain.
Upkeep on your hardwood floor is mostly about light sweeping with perhaps a dust-mop and for spills, a little mopping. Spill wine on a carpet, you have to act fast with special stain removers and may have to shampoo, or it will become permanent. Spill wine on a hardwood floor, you’ll need a paper-towel or two. I’ve also got some good advice here for Winter maintenance of your hardwood floor, if you’d like to read it.
Hardwood floors and cold feet have a simple solution.
My favorite answer is Slippers. I like the kind with rubberized soles for traction, and lots of fuzz for comfort. However, I do have friends who feel fuzzy socks make any hardwood floor a dance studio. If you want to go barefoot and still have have warmth on these colder winter mornings here in the Reno/Tahoe area, an inexpensive throw rug, with double-sided tape or a sticky mat to keep it from slipping is an easy way to pull your décor together, show off your beautiful hardwood floors and keep the soles of your feet warm, until the heater kicks in.
I would love the opportunity to speak with you about all the benefits and advantages a hardwood floor can bring to your home. Contact me today, and we can arrange a time to meet and go over your options.
Sorin Giurca
12- 27-12