Can’t decide between hardwood and carpet? It’s a tough conundrum for any homeowner, but when it comes down to it, hardwood often slides into first place. For starters, it’s clean, safe and doesn’t shelter dangerous particulate matter like carpet does. This results in a healthier home—and is especially beneficial to allergy sufferers or anyone with pets. Even with regular, daily vacuuming, it’s impossible to properly “clean” carpets without using shampoo and steam cleaning. You wash your clothes and bedding regularly, and believe it or not your carpet gets just as dirty as these porous materials (and even more so if anyone wears shoes in the house). However, a safer home is just the beginning of the hardwood perks. Here’s why hardwood flooring comes out on top above all others and why it should be your choice of flooring: Easy to care for Compared to carpets, hardwood flooring is a lot easier to clean and maintain. You don’t need as much equipment (vacuums are totally optional) and they last longer than carpet if you take care of them (no wearing stilettos or dropping weights allowed). Plus, if hardwood does get damaged, it’s much easier and cheaper to fix than carpeting. On the downside, older hardwood floors can be cold and drafty. You can either upgrade your older home or select some gorgeous rugs to increase the warmth. Keep in mind that all woods are prone to denting, scratching and scuffing, particularly in places like the entryway. However, a simple sanding and refinish can repair them, or you can just make sure to put down non-skid rugs in high traffic zones. It’s eco-friendly The vast majority of options for wood flooring are sustainable, green and eco-friendly. You can optimize the green factor by choosing abundant resources like bamboo (technically a grass) or by selecting a wood that’s sourced locally to minimize transportation costs. The faster a wood grows, the most sustainable it is. It’s gorgeous There’s no denying that wood is breathtaking, timeless and goes with absolutely everything. From light, Zen-ful woods to dark, rich options, there’s something for everyone. One of the top reasons wood is chosen is just because of aesthetics. If you want flooring that’s equally durable and beautiful, go with wood. There’s a reason it’s one of the oldest options for flooring—plus, with so many varieties, colors, designs, grains and consistencies, you’re never left wanting for choices. Don’t be put off by the price. Most of the time, hardwood flooring commands a higher upfront price, bu look at the big picture. A good wood floor will last a lifetime (or more), but the same simply can’t be said for even the highest quality carpet. This is a long-term investment that will eventually pay for itself, so it’s a fantastic option for anyone looking to increase a home’s value or who plans to stay there for several years. While a carpet can be seen as a fling, hardwood flooring is “the one” for the long haul.
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