| You probably know that hardwoods look great and | | | | floors will be clean, and more importantly, allergen |
| add an air of class to your house, but do your realize | | | | free. Hardwoods also don't contain chemicals and |
| some of the biggest benefits of hardwoods are | | | | dyes that can aggravate allergies. |
| things that might not cross your mind. | | | | Surprising some is the fact that a properly installed |
| Did you know that hardwoods are actually more | | | | hardwood floor can actually help lower your home's |
| resistant to fire than carpeting, tile, and laminates? | | | | heating and cooling costs. Hardwoods don't contain air |
| It's odd to think of wood being fire resistant, but it's | | | | pockets unlike most carpets. Because of this the |
| true. Carpeting ignites at a lower temperature than | | | | hardwood will retain the temperature of the air |
| hardwoods, and because much of the backing and | | | | above it. To put it simply a hardwood floor will be |
| glue is petrochemical based it can burn violently. | | | | warm in winter, and cool in summer and will keep |
| Carpet also releases toxic fumes when it burns, and | | | | drafts from rising into the room, and will keep your |
| it is usually smoke and toxic vapors that cause most | | | | hot or cold air from seeping into the basement. It's |
| injuries and fatalities in house fires. | | | | also a myth that hardwoods are cold in winter when |
| Many people are shocked when they find out that | | | | you get up in your bare feet. If you flooring has |
| while tile flooring seems to be ceramic it is actually | | | | been properly installed your tootsies will encounter a |
| petrochemical based and can burn and release toxic | | | | floor that's the same temperature as the rest of the |
| smoke and fumes just like carpet. Unlike hardwoods | | | | room. |
| there is also no way to repair or refinish | | | | Probably the most overlooked benefit of hardwoods |
| fire-damaged carpet or tile, meaning that even a | | | | is the price. Do you realize that hardwoods are |
| small fire could result in costly and time consuming | | | | sometimes less expensive to purchase and install than |
| repairs. | | | | carpets, tile, or concrete? When you factor in that |
| Hardwoods are also healthier than other types of | | | | most hardwoods are rated to last at least 50 years-5 |
| flooring. A properly installed hardwood floor resists | | | | to ten times longer than most carpets-it starts to |
| stains and doesn't hold moisture the way carpets can. | | | | become clear that hardwoods are the way to go. |
| This means that it doesn't provide a proper | | | | What's more hardwoods will require less maintenance |
| environment for the propagation of mold and mildew. | | | | than other types of flooring and their value will |
| Hardwoods are also easily cleaned and sterilized. For | | | | actually go up over time. |
| persons with sever allergies or depressed immune | | | | Besides looking great and adding a touch of class to |
| systems this can be the difference between a | | | | your home there are plenty of reasons to choose |
| healthy, comfortable life and one spent with | | | | hardwoods for your next building project. Before you |
| unneeded health problems. For the allergy sufferer | | | | install anything else talk to your builder or contractor |
| there's no reason to go with anything but hardwoods. | | | | about using hardwoods, and compare the benefits |
| Unlike carpets that can actually produce allergenic | | | | and prices with other materials. Chances are you'll |
| compounds hardwoods don't give off dust or other | | | | make the same decision that savvy builders have |
| debris. | | | | been making for hundreds of years and hardwoods |
| Hardwood floors also don't hold dust and dander | | | | will adorn your home. |
| meaning that with a simple dusting your hardwood | | | | |