Springtime is the time to refresh and renew! So how about those floors?
If you are considering selling and want a look that will have buyer appeal, or are just wanting to update to give your home a new look, it appears that choosing a wood product may be the way to go.
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has some interesting statistics to share: "Residential real estate agents say homes with wood floors sell faster and fetch higher prices, according to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by the NWFA. By a four-to-one margin, real estate agents said that a house with wood floors would sell faster than a house without wood floors. Some 90 percent said a house with wood floors would bring a higher price."
Many people think wood is a maintenance nightmare, or is only to be installed in seldom used spaces, but think about the fact that wood is the choice for gymnasiums. According to NWFA, wood floors are softer and more supple than other surfaces, providing greater resilience, improved shock absorption and increased energy return.
As if comfort and durability weren't enough, check out the environmental facts about wood floors:
- Average annual net growth for hardwoods is greater than average annual removals (Source: US Department of Agriculture Forest Service)
- Indoor air quality if better with wood floors (Source: US Environmental Protection Agency)
- Wood is a carbon neutral product that produces oxygen during its growth cycle and stores carbon during its service life (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)
- Wood floors use less water and energy to produce that other flooring options (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)
- At the end of its service life, wood flooring can be burned as fuel or recycled (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)
- Wood floors last hundreds of years, so won't need to be replaced as often as other flooring options (Source: National Association of Home Builders)
- While it takes most hardwood trees 40-60 years to mature, the inventory planted today won't be needed for 100-plus years (Source: National Wood Flooring Association)
Choose the right species so that the performance will meet your expectations, especially if installing in baths and kitchens, or directly on the slab. It is important to research your options so you will get the most for your money; and it is equally important to find a professional for the installation, as no product will perform optimally if installed incorrectly. There is no end to the choice of colors, styles, and designs out there, and at every price point, for every room in the house!
Comments(0)