Finding a fixer upper or a foreclosure may not be the ideal situation and may not be in the best shape but can have major potential to become a great resale. When it comes to redoing the house, the flooring is a big decision in the renovation budget in order to attract new home buyers. When looking for new hardwood flooring, but aren’t sure what direction to take, take a look at the following pros and cons of both light and dark hardwood flooring to give a better idea of how each option will function in your new home.
Light wood floors do a much better job than dark wood floors at making a room look cleaner and not showing spills and messes. In rooms that don’t get much sunlight, going with a light wood floor is perfect and have the added benefit of appearing to enlarge that space. Typically, light wood floors can be looked at as either modern or traditional, depending on how you decorate that space. You can either go light in your choice of colors when decorating a room with light wood floors, or go darker if you want to add more balance to the space. The types of popular light wood floors include Birch, Maple, Hickory, Red Oak and White Oak.
However, with light wood floors there comes some cons. For example, high traffic areas with light wood can get worn down easier and are too soft for these types of areas of the house. Also, any type of light wood that isn’t already stained before install can get darker faster. Again, this comes from high traffic and years of use. When adding light wood flooring in a room with a lot of sun light, the wood must be treated with a UV protective finish, otherwise it will be worn down easier than if treated.
How let’s take a look at how dark wood floors are often chosen to give a touch of luxury to a room. They offer a vibrant color, richness and gloss that light wood floors really can’t compete with. Unlike the light wood, dark wood flooring is strong and dark enough to support high foot traffic areas, like entry ways and family rooms, but are also elegant enough to bring that room up a notch with style. Although you may think that the natural dark wood colors may fades over time, it actually doesn’t. Dark wood stays dark for longer and depending on the grade of the wood you purchase, it also hides dirt well. When you decorate a room with dark wood flooring, it’s important to balance the dark with light colors in the form of drapes and furnishings. Types of dark wood floors include Mahogany, Black Walnut, Ipe, and Wenge.
Like cons of light wood, there are cons of dark wood. When choosing dark wood be aware that scratches and dings are more apparent over time. Also keep in mind that the darker the wood the more visible dirt becomes.
If you are on the fence about dark or light wood, you can always choose an eco-friendly floor. If you want to save money, create a stylish floor and showcase your environmental savvy, green hardwood flooring is your best bet.