Hardwood has certainly made its mark as a flooring material in the past years. Although a basic in older homes, more and more people are now choosing it over laminates and carpets–young home renters especially. If you’re still on the fence on the type of floor a Southport NC carpenter can build for you, the benefits of hardwood listed below may help you put things in perspective.

First of all, a wood floor can and will increase the value of your property, whether it be a detached house, apartment, or condo. This benefit is immediate—as soon as you lay brand new wooden floors, the value of your investment increases. Also, hardwood looks better with time so the floor’s value never decreases as it would if it were a laminate or carpet.

Second, hardwood is an extremely durable material that you don’t have to regularly maintain or replace every few years. Compared to carpet, wood floors take quite a bit of wear and, if sealed properly, are highly resistant to dirt and stains. While carpet will eventually need to be replaced, a good hardwood flooring can last a lifetime.

Third, hardwood is easier to clean and maintain, and does not house harmful particulate matters like carpet does, providing residents a healthier living environment. Wiping with a dry cloth can easily remove liquid spills and dirt, and waxing and polishing can bring out its brilliant shine. Allergy-prone homeowners will definitely benefit from these features.

Fourth, hardwood floors are easier to repair than either laminate or carpet ones. With laminate, you have to remove adjoining planks before you can fix one. To repair carpet, you have to first remove the carpet, send it to a carpet repair company and put it back again; or you may have to replace it altogether. Replacing hardwood floors is rarely necessary. If it gets scratched, dented or scraped, a Southport NC carpenter like Drew’s Roofing and Home Repair will simply refinish, smooth or sand it.

Aside from the advantages listed above, perhaps the number one reason you should consider a hardwood floor is for aesthetics. Hardwood is a tried and tested quality flooring material, its inherent beauty is hard to surpass, and it never goes out of style. Hardwood floors may cost more initially, but with proper care, the expense you made for it becomes a one-time lifetime investment.