Advantages and Disadvantages of Hardwood and Carpet Flooring

Among Sedona flooring options, two of the most popular options available are, of course, hardwood flooring and carpet flooring. For beauty, durability and overall elegance, nothing beats Sedona hardwood floors. However, if your home does not already feature Sedona hardwood floors, installing them can be expensive. While hardwood floors can last over a century with proper care, failing in the care of hardwoods can, and often does, tell on the homeowner over time. When considering Sedona hardwood floors for a remodeling project, keep in mind that while the cost of installation may be a bit higher, if you plan to sell your home (now or in the future), hardwoods really boost the resale value of the home. Sedona hardwood floors are an amenity buyers are willing to pay additional money for. In fact, most builders consider this an upgrade. Therefore, this option tends to provide a noticeable return on your investment. Maintaining hardwood floors is relatively easy because all that's required is routine sweeping and vacuuming to keep dust from accumulating. Periodically, treating the wood with a cleaner specially designed for hardwoods can help maintain the look and feel of your floors and can help minimize scratches. If, by chance, your Sedona hardwood floors become worn, or if your style preferences change, hardwood flooring can be sanded and stained to suit your interior design tastes. Be aware, though, large retailers will often include engineered wood as an equally beautiful but far less expensive option. This option is, indeed, far less expensive than its traditional counterpart and is especially useful if your home's construction features concrete slabs (popular in the Southwest and Western US). However, while engineered wood can give your room the look of Sedona hardwood floors, it is, essentially, a thin wood strip adhered to plywood that will not boost the resale value of your home, if that is a part of your consideration. Another popular Sedona flooring option is the ever-popular Sedona carpet. Because Sedona carpet flooring comes in a wide variety of styles, textures and patterns, remodeling with carpet can create a dramatic difference in the look and feel of the room. Sedona carpet also provides warmth and insulation to room, which you and your family would especially appreciate during cold winter nights in December and January when the average low temperature hovers around the freezing mark. A less discussed benefit of Sedona carpet flooring is its tendency to absorb and isolate sound--a huge benefit for families with teens and tweens. Further, it minimizes echoing for those in nearby rooms. While Sedona carpet flooring is easy to clean, with frequent vacuuming and an occasional shampoo, it does, however, have its drawbacks. Among them--the tendency to hold onto dust particles, moisture and other allergens, triggering reactions for those plagued by allergies and other respiratory challenges. Sedona carpet also tends to absorb moisture which can, if left untreated, create mold conditions which are especially dangerous for the very young and elderly populations. Families with pets can also experience challenges with Sedona carpet due to pests like ticks and fleas which may find their way into your home via your pet, then nestle into the fibers of your carpet. Pet hairs and pet dander can also be problematic in your carpeted rooms, requiring more frequent cleaning. Thankfully, pre-treated carpeting options are now available in the marketplace to minimize stains, pet dander and other common problems associated with Sedona carpet flooring.