Joe Harr built his home in 1886 in the Fairmount community of Stuttgart, Arkansas. The old Harr house today still stands with original hardwood flooring in a section of its interior. Hardwood floors installed in numerous historical houses and public buildings at the time of construction can still be found around the country. And there is a very good reason for this; most hardwood floors are extremely durable, and with some minor maintenance may last well over a century. (Meaning that, eventually, someone else will have to do the maintaining).

The natural durability of wood floors often ensures a wonderful sight for those that walk across them.

It is not, however, only the elegance, beauty, and alluring attraction of hardwood flooring that homeowners and potential real estate buyers find appealing, but also the almost effortless chore that is realized when it comes to cleaning and maintaining them. Hiring a professional contractor to refinish hardwood floors is no longer necessary.

There are a wide variety of finishes readily available on the market, allowing just about anyone to lay a protective surface coating on the floor of an entire room with relative ease in about an hour’s time. A simple task that will add to the overall longevity of the floor.

Attempting to clean up a spill or remove a stain from carpeting may seem like a nightmare. The mere thought of an accidental tip-over of a mug filled with coffee is enough to cause paranoia. There are constant worries of a toddler spilling grape juice or fruit punch, and teens running across the carpet with dirty or muddy tennis shoes. Or a “spill” from the family dog that had lifted a leg when no one was looking.

Why not indulge in a bit of laziness, when there are so many other problems to worry about? Most spills or tracking soot on hardwood floors are gone with the simple swipe of a mop or piece of paper towel. Even paint spills are easily removed.

Wood floors are also better for your health, especially when there are household members that suffer from asthma or allergic reactions. Even carpet manufacturers admit that carpeting is a magnet for dirt and allergens such as pollen or dust mites. Dirt, in turn, can draw mold, mildew, and fungus. Some new carpeting may even emit harmful chemicals. Most or all of these problems, including the development of undesirable odors that a carpet may eventually emit, can be avoided with hardwood flooring.

Yet another excellent feature about hardwood floors is its ability to maintain a room’s temperature by improving the performance of air conditioning or heating systems.

The natural composition of wood makes most hardwood flooring a great insulator. The hardwood floor itself normally has a tendency to remain considerably cool in summer and warm in winter, adding to the comfort of one’s home.

Usually priced much lower than marble, granite, or other types of tiled floors, hardwood flooring is obviously an excellent investment and substantially increases the value of a property that had featured carpeting. With many older homes, it may be a matter of simply lifting the carpet and finding a magnificent hardwood floor hiding underneath that can be refinished with some over-the-counter wood polishing. It would make a lot of sense to do so.

Mira Floors and Interiors is Greater Vancouver’s premiere floor and window covering specialist for both home owners and commercial spaces. Mr. James Alisch and his team can assist in all aspects of floor installations, carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl and tile. For further information about your flooring options go to Mira Floors and Interiors