If you are contemplating home renovations or simply updating the look of your property, then flooring should never be overlooked. These days, many homes across America are fitted with laminate flooring. It has been popular throughout the country for the last few decades largely because it constitutes a cost-effective and attractive option. That being said, replacing laminate with hardwood flooring can yield excellent results that will make your home's floors something to be proud of. Why make the switch? Read on to find out.

1. Enhanced Durability and Longevity

A new hardwood floor installation will mean you end up with an incredibly resilient floor. The durability of hardwoods makes them an excellent long-term investment. Although longevity varies according to products and maintenance regimes, hardwood flooring will typically outlast laminates by several years. Many flooring companies would agree that a well-maintained hardwood floor should last a lifetime. Scratches, stains, or light surface damage on hardwood can be sanded down and refinished. By contrast, laminates would need sections to be replaced or covered over with a rug.

2. Increased Home Value

The timeless appeal of hardwoods should not be underestimated. Homeowners can significantly boost their property's valuation by investing in hardwood flooring. Real estate professionals often highlight hardwood floors as a desirable feature that would-be buyers will appreciate. Both in terms of look and durability, hardwood floors add value. One report from the National Association of Realtors stated that investing in a hardwood floor was one of the best things homeowners could do to improve the value of their property for the level of investment needed.

3. Avoid Susceptibility to Water Damage

One significant disadvantage of laminate flooring is that it can be liable to water damage. Unlike hardwood, which is usually unharmed from mild water exposure, laminate flooring can warp and swell after it has been exposed to moisture, even when spillages have been cleaned up. Only prolonged exposure to floodwater is likely to cause a significant problem, something that would affect any type of flooring, of course.

4. Improved Look and Feel

Hardwood offers a sense of natural beauty. This is down to the fact that each and every plank benefits from unique grain patterns with knots and color variations throughout. What this does is lend character and richness to a room's floor, of course. While high-quality laminates are undoubtedly able to mimic the look of natural wood, the difference is discernible to most people. This is especially so when you walk over laminates in bare feet. They just down feel the same as hardwood floors. Bear in mind, too, that hardwood flooring affords greater versatility in terms of staining and refinishing, something laminates do not. As such, you can change your décor without the need to replace your entire floor, if wanted. 

For more info about hardwood flooring, contact a local company.