Hardwood floors have an elegant and timeless look that will bring a natural beauty and warmth to your home’s interior design. Whether your home has a modern, traditional, or eclectic design, they can enhance the overall aesthetic while their durability and longevity can increase the value of your home for years to come.  But are they the right choice for every home? More importantly, are they the right choice for you?

Factors such as budget, maintenance, and lifestyle all come into play when making this decision. Do you have the budget to make sure you are getting a quality floor? Do you have a pack of 100lb wild drooling dogs?  Yes, these are some of the questions you might want to ruminate on before buying new floors, and in this blog post we are going to discuss some of the standard disadvantages of engineered wood flooring, as well as the ways that most of those can be overcome to make sure you are making an informed decision. Ultimately, we hope to help you have a lifetime of loving your floors, no matter what choice you make.

Engineered hardwood floors are expensive

When looking at all your flooring options, the variety in price is almost equal to the variety in styles and colors. Hardwood is generally more expensive for both materials and installation than options like carpet or vinyl, so it may seem like a much larger investment upfront. However, you have to take into consideration the lifespan of that investment and how the costs break down over that time. Not only will engineered hardwood floors increase the value of your home far more than carpet or vinyl, but they are also going to last far longer. The average lifespan of carpet is only 10 years, and the average lifespan of vinyl plank flooring is approximately 15 years. That means that every decade you will have to start digging into the bank account again for new floors. In contrast, the average lifespan of hardwood floors is 45-100 years. So with routine maintenance, not only will hardwood floors greatly outlast carpet or vinyl, but they will also provide a much better value throughout the life of your home. At Woodpecker we offer a 100-Year Transferable Warranty to ensure that your floors will last for generations to come. If budget is still a barrier to you finding a hardwood floor that fits your needs, you may be better off selecting a luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or something else that fits your budget at the time. Don’t be lured into buying an inferior quality wood floor that could end up costing you even more money in repairs/replacement down the line. Sometimes getting the right wood floor means waiting for the right time.

Hardwood floors require more maintenance

Yes, it is true that hardwood floors generally require more maintenance than other flooring options.  Sweeping, mopping, and periodic oiling/refinishing are all a part of making sure you can enjoy the beauty of your floors for years to come. There is no way that you won’t notice the dust, dirt, or pet dander on top of your hardwood floors, and you are going to have to sweep or vacuum regularly. At first thought that may sound like a negative, but is it really? The reason that you notice it is because it is right there on the surface, and that means it is easy to clean up. Hardwood does not trap dust, pet dander, and other pollutants the way carpet does. Even with regular vacuuming and cleaning, it is nearly impossible to completely remove harmful contaminants from carpet.  Carpet can also be a breeding ground for mildew and mold. As for having to refinish hardwood floors, today’s pre-finished wood flooring has a factory quality control that makes it far more uniform and durable than the finishes of old. If you get to a point where you feel your floor needs to be refinished, once done your floor is going to look brand new again. This will extend the lifecycle of your wood floor in a way that can’t be done with vinyl or carpet.

Hardwood floors can get scratched

No floor is indestructible. When a tile cracks, there really is no fixing it and it is a difficult process to remove a broken piece and install a new tile. When vinyl gets a tear, you can try to blend in some putty/epoxy to match, but often that problem area will continue to worsen with more foot traffic. When carpet gets worn through, you have no real choice except to completely replace it all. Your wood floors are probably going to get scratched and eventually, they are likely going to get a few dents and dings. One of the benefits to the natural beauty of wood is that normally the scratches aren’t going to be that noticeable, and if it ever gets to a point where you are unhappy with the overall look of your wood floor, you can have it refinished (you can’t refinish vinyl or carpet).

Overall, hardwood floors are extremely durable and resilient. There are hardwood floors that were installed in the 1600’s that people are still walking on today.

I have big dogs… I wear work boots… I have kids

As mentioned in the beginning of this post, “lifestyle” is a factor for many people when deciding whether to get hardwood floors or not. There are many ways a hardwood floor can get scratched or dinged, but fortunately, there are also many ways to mitigate the potential damage. If you have big dogs, you’ll want to trim their nails regularly. If you wear work boots that might trap a sharp rock in the sole, get in the habit of taking them off at the door. If you have kids who like to toss their toys around, consider putting down a rubber/foam playmat or an area rug.  You can also decide to embrace the natural “patina” of a floor well-lived on. To some, scratches and dents add to the character of their floors and some of the bigger ones can usually be connected to a lesson learned, or a funny story, or a memory you don’t want to tear up or replace.

In conclusion, despite the disadvantages of engineered wood flooring, hardwood floors remain a valuable investment for your home. They offer durability, longevity, and a timeless appeal that other flooring options can’t compete with. Yes, they may face their share of dents and scratches, but these minor imperfections often contribute to the unique charm and character of your home, creating a lived-in, welcoming feel. If you still have questions, we’re here to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. For those ready to make the leap and invest in your home’s future, order your complimentary samples today and witness the undeniable beauty of hardwood firsthand.