Introduction
Everyone loves hardwood flooring, it’s gorgeous, adds to the value of your home, and feels amazing to walk or stand on. According to Mark Roemer Oakland, hardwood flooring isn’t limited to your living space. It can also be used in your bathroom. However, it isn’t for everyone. Let’s check out the pros and cons of using hardwood flooring in a bathroom:
The Pros:
- Aesthetics, and sensations – This is probably the primary reason for opting for hardwood flooring. Whether it’s ceramic tiles, vinyl, engineered wood, or even bamboo, nothing comes close to matching the unique look and feel of hardwood flooring. The planks with their grain pattern allow you to lay the boards in any way you want and create your own custom look. Moreover, as they age and you refinish the product, the look only gets better.
- Warmth – Ceramic tiles are excellent conductors of heat and hence get cold very quickly during the chilly season. Walking barefoot on ceramic during the winter is a nightmare. Hardwood doesn’t have that problem since it acts as an insulating material. Apart from looking warm with its rich earthy tones, it also feels warmer than the cold tiles.
- Longevity – Hardwood is one of the most durable building materials and with proper maintenance it can last you for several decades. While stone tiles last longer, they compromise on appeal. Moreover, maintenance is also flexible with hardwood flooring. No need to replace the board unless there is extensive damage. A bit of sanding and refinishing will get rid of most scratches and add more character to the boards. You can also opt for engineered hardwood flooring that is easier to maintain at the cost of longevity.
The Cons:
- Floor slope – When you’re working with hardwood, gravity can be a mighty foe. Unlike any other room in the house, the bathroom floor needs to be perfectly leveled. Otherwise, you have to deal with water accumulation in lower areas and damaging the wood unless you wipe it dry. Even if your water manages to sit for a few hours, some of it may be able to penetrate the seams and compromise the structural stability of the base. That’s why you should avoid hardwood if the floor isn’t perfectly level.
- Mold – Mildew and mold thrive in damp environments. They feed on natural organic matter and your bathroom has enough of it along with abundant moisture. So, hardwood flooring will inevitably develop this problem inside a bathroom and increase your maintenance troubles. Even the most potent sealant would wear off eventually and the mold will start growing in between and beneath the boards. You should consider the allergies of family members before you install hardwood flooring in your bathroom.
Conclusion
Mark Roemer Oakland suggests that you assess all the pros and cons mentioned above to make a sound judgment. While installing it means more maintenance work and spending on your part, the aesthetics and sensation may be worth it.
