Hardwood floors are one of the best types of floors to have on your home. They are beautiful, durable, easy to care for, and inexpensive. Hardwood floors can be used in any room of your home, but they are most often used in the kitchen or in the home’s formal living areas. While hardwood floors are attractive and look great in any home, they also come with a few disadvantages. If you want to know exactly what these disadvantages are, read on.
Hardwood flooring is any material made from wood that’s designed specifically for use as hardwood flooring, both decorative or functional. Wood is a popular option for flooring because it’s easy to work with, naturally resists stains and scratches, and comes in a variety of shades, cuts, knots, and patterns. However, this simplicity can mean that hardwood floors can be quite expensive. For instance, a per square foot cost for a hardwood floor might cost between six and ten dollars. This cost is much higher than most other types of flooring.
One of the disadvantages of hardwood floors is that they are more susceptible to damage from moisture and dampness. This is because wood is porous and allows moisture and air to permeate into it easily. Moisture, especially in high amounts, can cause warping, scratching, discoloration, swelling, buckling, cupping, or shrinking. In addition, wood floors can rot if not properly sealed and maintained.
Because of their porous structure, wood floorboards can warp when exposed to moisture. Even if the floor is completely sealed, wood floors could show some flaws if there is too much moisture in the air. This is especially true of unfinished hardwood floors that have not been finished. Unfinished floorboards can show dust or dirt easily, so they should be kept away from areas where children might play or where pets might wander. If the floor is in an area like the kitchen or bathroom where spills occur frequently, it is best to put a mat over the board to reduce the exposure to moisture and dust.
Another disadvantage of hardwood floors is that they can become damaged quite easily from spills or scratches. If small amounts of dirt or oil are spilled on a floor, it can be removed with a sponge and a clean cloth. However, spills of large amounts should be cleaned up as soon as possible using a cleaning solution with disinfectant and pH neutral detergent. It is important to dry the area completely after removing the spill so no foreign matter is left behind. If the area remains wet, the wood will swell and cause additional damage.
Some of the best wood flooring values are found in log homes. Spilled oils and stains can be cleaned up rather easily using household cleaners or a mild soap. Spills of any kind can also be repaired. If a scratch occurs, it can be repaired using one of the many varieties of hardwood floor kits that are available. Hardwood floors are more expensive than some other flooring options, but they are long lasting and durable.
Floating hardwood floors are a great option for people who do not want the permanence of a fixed floor plan. Floating floors are made of multiple layers of hardwood planks that are connected together like a puzzle. Each plank is completely sealed and pre-finished, so there is nothing to worry about. A special underlayment is used between each piece to prevent moisture. This method is slower than installing a floating floor by fixed planks, but the end result is the same.
There are two main types of floating hardwood floors: wide widths and long widths. The wide widths are used most often because it allows you to have a larger space to work with, but the trade off is that the boards come apart more easily. Long widths are the best way to go if you are planning on installing large areas of wood floor. You can get large strips that will span the entire width of your room and then connect them together at the corners. This takes less time, but you have to make sure you use the right size and number of the strips.