If you really want to elevate the value of your home, you should consider installing wooden floors. Wooden flooring gives a feeling of warmth and comfort while adding style and durability. It adds to the ambiance of a room and is a great idea for both interior design and functionality. Installing a wood floor will also increase the value of your home.
Benefits of Wooden Flooring
There are many benefits to wood flooring. Some of these are outlined below.
-
It adds a timeless elegance.
A wood floor can add value to a home by giving it a timeless elegance. It will complement the look of a room, no matter if is it styled in a traditional, contemporary, or eclectic manner. You should consider the texture, color, and natural grain of the wooden floor before installing it.
-
Provides customization and uniqueness.
You can have a wooden floor sanded and shaded to the color of your choice. Just make sure that it complements the other features of the room, like the paint on the walls and the room fixtures. This is where you can make personal choices to customize your room and give it a unique look.
-
It adds durability.
Wooden floors are renowned for their ability to last for a long time. The general lifespan for an engineered wood floor is 20 to 30 years, while hardwood floors can last from 30 to 50 years or even longer. There are even some that have lasted 100 years or more. Properly maintaining and repairing wood flooring from time to time will add years to its life.
-
Wooden floors are easy to maintain.
It’s much easier to maintain wood flooring compared to tiles or carpeted rooms. You would have to constantly clean tiled rooms and vacuum dust and dirt that gathers in the carpet. However, simple sweeping and mopping are all that is required to keep a wooden floor in shape.
-
Increases the value of your home.
If you ever decide to put up your house for sale, know that your wooden flooring is likely to add to the listed price of your home. By some estimates, it can increase the value of your real estate by as much as 10%. So if your property is worth £300,000, wooden flooring would add 30,000 to this figure. Even if you deduct the cost to install and maintain the floor, it will still give a positive net return on your investment.
-
Uplifts a room with neutral colors.
Having a room painted in neutral colors is an ongoing trend that is very common nowadays. But using shades like white or grey will give it a bland look. Wooden floors allow spicing up your room and bring it to life. They add warmth and character to a room.
Caring and Maintenance of Wooden Floors
While wooden floors are known to be long-lasting and durable, they do require some care and maintenance to keep them looking great. Everyone appreciates the look of a well-polished floor that has been properly maintained. We give below a few pointers for caring and maintenance of your wood flooring.
-
Clean it regularly
Of course, you must know that caring for a wood floor will require you to sweep and mop it at least two times a week. Be careful not to scratch or stain the floor in the process of cleaning it. Use a mild detergent with non-abrasive chemicals for best results. Wipe up spills and clean immediately when they happen, Don’t apply heat, and make sure the room is properly aired so that it doesn’t leave a musty smell.
-
Protect it from sunlight
While natural sunlight is regarded as good for a room, it does tend to discolor wooden floors after a while. It is therefore advised to protect your wooden floors from excessive sunlight. You can consider installing shades that limit the amount of sunlight that shines through.
-
Go for a refinish from time to time
For best results on maintaining a wood floor, be sure to have it sanded, polished, and refinished every few years, or when you feel necessary. It depends on the kind of wood used for the floor, its color and type of grain, and whether it readily shows dirt or covers it.
How to Further Enhance the Aesthetic Appeal
-
Choose the Right Furniture
You have to choose the right furniture to offset the look of your room. You can select dark colors to complement a light-colored floor, and vice versa. Try to select furniture with materials like leather or upholstered fabric that complements the flooring.
-
Rug Selection is Important
Rugs and mats can add to the look of the room by breaking up the monotony of the floor. The color and material chosen should contrast with the hues of the wood to create a better look.
-
The Need for Good Lighting
Selecting the right type of lighting will add to the ambiance of the room. It must be properly placed, depending on the mood you want to create in a particular space. You may use different light sources to shade or light up different areas of the room.
Best Flooring for Each Room of the House
-
Home Entrance, Living and Dining Rooms
Oak or teak-engineered wood is a good choice for these areas of the home. It does not scratch easily and does not show dirt. You can also opt for solid hardwood or ceramic tiles, but tiles can get cold in winter.
-
Kitchen and Bedrooms
Vinyl flooring is the preferred choice here because it is resistant to moisture. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are another good option. You can use wooden flooring in the kitchen but make sure it is moisture resistant. Remember to clean up spills without delay.
-
Basement
It is better to consider engineered wood flooring, polished concrete, or vinyl tiles for this area.
Conclusion
We have looked at how wooden flooring can elevate the look and feel of a house. It adds to the ambiance of a home and also increases its value. Choosing the right type of wood depends on the room being considered for this purpose.
