Time for a new floor? Whether it’s new construction or a home renovation, wood flooring can bring a beautiful elegance, trendy rustic, or cozy warmth to your interior space. You may be considering traditional hardwood vs. engineered flooring and wondering: which adds more value?
Hardwood Flooring – A High Value Investment For Now and the Future
Nothing beats the timeless look of genuine hardwood flooring. The variety of colors, tones, and natural patterns brings warmth and texture to any home, office, or venue. In addition to never going out of style, hardwood floors are naturally easier to clean than carpet, and are a highly durable solution when maintained properly.
When it comes to a home improvement investment, hardwood floors are an attractive option.
Pros of Harwood Floor Investments:
- Higher resale value: Some experts estimate that installing hardwood floors could boost your home value by 2.5%
- Long-lasting results: Because genuine hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished multiple times, your hardwood floor investment could last a lifetime.
- Hardwood is considered a “premium” feature: Hardwood floors are highly valued in the real estate market, and can make your home more appealing to more buyers.
- Can improve the appraisal value: Because hardwood flooring is a sought after feature, this can boost your appraisal value when putting your home on the market.
Cons of Hardwood Floor Installations:
- Larger financial investment: Real hardwood flooring is initially more expensive than engineered flooring, but can give higher returns when selling the home.
- Does require maintenance: Over time, the finish on hardwood floors can naturally degrade due to normal foot traffic, and will need to be maintained. However, with the proper care, it can provide beauty and warmth for generations to come.
Engineered Wood Flooring: For Budget-Friendly Projects
Not everyone has the initial budget to support genuine hardwood flooring, but don’t want to use alternatives such as carpet (shorter lifespan, collects dust and allergens) or tile (cold, hard, and grout that’s difficult to clean).
Pros of Engineered Hardwood Floors:
- Larger initial costs: Less expensive option for a budget alternative.
- Easier install, especially for DIY projects: Engineered flooring components are often constructed for easy installation, including using a simple click-lock system. This can make it an attractive option for homeowners who want to do it themselves.
- Warp resistance: These types of flooring materials are designed to be less susceptible to temperature and humidity changes than real hardwood flooring.
Cons of Engineered Hardwood Floors:
- Shorter lifespan: Some engineered hardwood is more susceptible to sun fading and to water damage than real hardwood flooring. Refinishing options are limited, and do not have the longevity of genuine hardwood flooring.
- Doesn’t add as much home value: Engineered floors are not considered as valuable as hardwood floors, and this can affect your investment
- Is not viewed as a “high end” improvement: Engineered hardwood is not seen as elegant or premium.
Which flooring adds more value to your home: hardwood or engineered wood?
Real estate experts agree that an investment in real hardwood flooring adds more value to your home. It’s a timeless classic feature that is highly sought after and can positively affect your home’s resale value. For those whose budget cannot accommodate real hardwood flooring, engineered wood can be considered a practical alternative, but it will not yield the same benefits.
If you’re ready to install beautiful hardwood floors to your home, business, or investment property, contact Belletetes of Brookline (formerly Bingham Lumber) at (603) 532-7716 or request a quote here.
