Nothing says elegance like a polished hardwood floor. The deep, rich color combined with a brilliant luster adds beauty to any home. However, from the 1960’s through the 1980’s, the installation of hardwood flooring tapered off in favor of wall-to-wall carpet. The mass production of synthetic carpeting made it an incredibly convenient flooring option, and many home builders and homeowners seized the opportunity to cover every available floor space in their homes with carpeting. At this time, having wall-to-wall carpet was seen as modern and chic.
However, the 1990’s saw a renewed appreciation for hardwood floor, bothin the Dallas area and across the nation. Children who had grown up seeing hardwood floors only in their grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ homes seized the opportunity to break away from the designing norms of their parents. Homes were purchased with the knowledge that beneath the carpeted floor lay treasure troves of hardwood flooring that simply needed to be refurbished and refinished. Often those “simple” renovations were much more difficult and time-consuming than initially though, but in many cases, the goal of achieving a radiant hardwood floor made the effort worth it.
The appreciation of hardwood floors that marked the 1990’s and early 1980’s still exists today. The aesthetic value of a hardwood floor simply cannot be overstated. However, this generation has realized another benefit of hardwood floor installation: It is one of the “greenest,” or eco-friendly, flooring options available. In a time when homeowners are seeking more sustainable options in the building and upkeep of their homes, installing a hardwood floor is truly a sensible choice.
Mass-produced carpeting is usually made from petroleum products; in other words, it is synthetic. A very small percentage is from natural-fiber carpeting, such as wool, but such fibers are cost-prohibitive for the average consumer. In addition to the resources expended in the manufacturing and dying of the carpet, its installation requires the use of toxic adhesives and other substances. Furthermore, when the carpet is taken up, it goes to the landfill, where it degrades very slowly due to its synthetic makeup.
Hardwood floors, on the other hand, are made from a renewable resource. Not only is wood renewable because more trees can be grown, but reclaimed wood can also be used in floor installation. Additionally, hardwood floors seldom end up in the landfill; they are usually refinished if they become old or stained. Even if a homeowner switches to carpet, the carpet is typically laid over the wood.
Hardwood floors are beautiful, sustainable and sensible. Individuals who live in the Dallas area and wish to benefit from the beauty and environmental benefits of hardwood floors should call a floor contractor for an installation quote today.
