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Solid and engineered hardwood flooring are both good choices for your home. These flooring types have similar characteristics to solid wood flooring but are more affordable and easier to maintain. While solid wood is an attractive choice, it is not as durable or moisture resistant as engineered wood. If you plan on installing hardwood flooring in your kitchen or bathroom, consider waterproofing the flooring option. The moisture in the Katy area makes solid wood flooring too delicate for this room.
Engineered hardwood flooring is a more economical option than solid hardwood
When it comes to flooring, there are many advantages of engineered hardwood flooring over its more expensive counterpart. While solid hardwood is made of only one species of wood, engineered wood is layered with one layer of genuine hardwood and another layer of composite wood. It offers the same look and feels as solid hardwood at a much more affordable price. Engineered wood can be installed in areas where solid hardwood is not suitable, such as basements or attics.
As a cost-effective alternative to solid hardwood flooring, engineered wood is resistant to moisture and temperature changes. It won’t expand or contract as much, making it perfect for high-traffic areas of your home. It’s also very easy to clean and maintain, which is why it’s perfect for new homes or renovations. It can also withstand water-fed underfloor heating.
Hardwood floors are easier to maintain
Hardwood floors are easily identifiable of their distinctive colors and appealing wood grain pattern. While wood flooring is not recommended in kitchens or other areas where moisture is constant, it is fine for other rooms. However, wood flooring is susceptible to scarring, even when refinished. Therefore, if you choose to install wood flooring in your kitchen, you should know the best ways to maintain it. Here are some of them.
Cleaning your hardwood floors is much easier than cleaning carpet. You can just sweep or damp mop the floor daily to remove debris. You can also use a vacuum cleaner without a beater bar to clean hard-to-reach areas. Buffing the hardwood floors is an excellent way to bring back their luster. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended routine for maintenance. Using a quality product like Bona will also make your hardwood floors last longer.
Hardwood floors is more recognizable than softwood
While hardwood floors are more popular, softwoods have several advantages. They require less work and time to install and maintain than hardwoods. Also, most softwoods are renewable and sustainably grown, which makes them a great choice for flooring applications. As a bonus, they are a lower-cost alternative than hardwoods. However, softwoods are not as durable as hardwood, so they are not a good choice for homes with high traffic levels.
While softwoods are less durable, they are equally as beautiful as hardwoods. Although dents can be an unavoidable part of softwoods, they also signify wear and may even be part of the style of certain homeowners. In some cases, dents may require the replacement of the floor if they dig into the wood. However, softwoods are cheaper to buy than hardwood flooring, and some types can cost as much as half the price of oak.
Hardwood floors are more durable than carpet
Nylon is slightly less durable than wool but close to it. Nylon is much cheaper, costs 18 to $35 per square yard, and has excellent resilience, colorfastness, and soil resistance. Nylon accounts for 60 percent of carpet sales. Some nylons are enhanced with carbon-composite nylon filaments, eliminating shocks and added wear resistance. But be aware that these enhanced nylons cost as much or more than wool.
The fiber and texture of carpet play a large role in its durability. The four most common types are wool, nylon, polyester, and polypropylene. Each has a different degree of durability, but overall, each one is a great choice. Wool is the most expensive choice, but it is also more durable than synthetics. You can find information about the fiber content on the back of the sample. It is also much softer than synthetics, making it an excellent choice for a home.
