According to hardwood floor installation Long Island services, see http://www.myhardwoodflooringlongisland.com,  realtors report that an increasing number of home buyers are inquiring whether prospective homes have hardwood floors. According to the National Association of Realtors, an impressive 54% of home buyers are willing to pay more for a home with hardwood floors. Of this number, the biggest are in the home buying age of 35-55 yrs. These buyers considered that a hardwood floor was very important in their decision to buy a house.

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Increase in home value

Prof. Stacy Sirmans of Florida State University did a study in 2003 that showed that homes went up by 6% when a hardwood floor was installed. The National Wood Flooring Association also did a study in which 99% of the realtors interviewed said that a house with a hardwood floor was easier to sell.  These realtors went on to say that 90% of the homes with wooden floors sold better than they expected.

Hardwood vs. Carpet

The preference for the carpet has decreased in recent years in preference for hardwood flooring.  While carpets are cheaper, costing $3-5 per square foot, hardwood is still preferred for it durability.  A good quality carpet will last 10-15 years. While hardwood will cost $9-12 per square foot, it can last up to 25 years for engineered wood, and over 50 years for solid wood flooring. This is an impressive return on investment.  The cost-benefit advantage is clearly in the wooden floor’s favor. Some homeowners use a combination by installing hardwood flooring in living areas and carpets in the less visible areas.

Hardwood floors are also safer than carpets as they do not store dust particles, animal furs and other particles that are allergic. The hardwood floor will not develop bad odors from spilt food and drinks.  They are also easier to maintain than carpets. While a carpet will require vacuuming and steaming to keep clean, the hardwood floor will require only a mop to wipe off. Hardwood floors are resistant to stains and spills as these can be easily wiped off. Hardwood floor refinishing cost Long Island experts say while a stained carpet can only be disposed of; the hardwood floor can be sanded and refinished to look brand new.

With technological improvement, wooden floors from bamboo are making for eco-friendly wooden floors.  Unlike carpets which are decorated with woven patterns, hardwood wooden floors from solid wood are very beautiful as each board has unique grain patterns.

Why hardwood

  • Durability

The hardwood floor has ageless quality. Its beauty can be rediscovered after every 15 years or so with a refinishing job. The dents, stains, and other scruffy marks go away leaving the hardwood floor good as new.

  • Better indoor air quality

The hardwood floor’s flat surface does not trap dust particles, animal dander, and microorganisms which can cause allergies and respiratory problems.

  • Variety

There are many varieties of hardwood floors. You can choose for a finished or unfinished look. You can opt for solid wood, or engineered wood. There are hundreds of stains, colors, styles and species to choose from.  The hardwood floor meets many unique and diverse tastes.

  • Better acoustics

Just like wood is used high quality speaker cabinets and guitars, a hardwood floor gives better acoustics. There are no hollow vibrations. When used in the living room area, entertainment sounds come off very well.

  • Elegant look

Hardwood floors have that elegant old charm that can never be found on concrete floors. This kind of floor gives a semblance of beauty, warmth and a feeling of spaciousness. Some species give off nice scents adding an outdoors touch to the house.

  • Easy installation

A hardwood flooring company Long Island can install hardwood flooring quickly. Engineered hardwood floors are easy and straightforward to install for those with the know-how and experience. People using the DIY approach will also find it easier to work with given enough time.

  • Comfort

A hardwood floor will not heat highly when it is hot, or become freezing cold when temperatures drop. Hardwood floors are able to stay within a comfortable range of temperature. They are also suitable for installing under-floor heating which has been found to be more efficient than HVAC heating.

Budget friendly

The hardwood floor is friendly to different budgets. There are two main types of hardwood floors each with its costs:

Solid wooden flooring

This floor is made of boards that are single planks of wood. Each plank is 18-20 mm (5/8 -3/4 in.) thick. This kind of flooring is good to look at as the grain patterns are unique for each board.  This makes it ideal for areas where it can be shown off like the living room. It is the costlier kind of wooden flooring.

Engineered hardwood flooring

This kind of flooring has three or four planks glued together to make a single plank around 14 mm thick. This flooring is withstands changes in weather better than solid wood.  Engineered flooring is typically cheaper than solid wood flooring.