Pros and Cons of Dark Wood Flooring 

Investing in a beautiful, elegant hardwood floor is one way to elevate the aesthetic of your home while also adding value to it. Strong, and full of natural beauty, a nice hardwood floor can last the test of time and increase the resale value of your home when and if the time to sell comes along. While hardwood is a classic look, it is a trend worth exploring for even the most modern designers.

 

In fact, hardwood is such a popular choice, that to meet the demand of designers and homeowners alike, there are so many different types of hardwoods available on the market. Ranging in style, wood type, manufacturing process, finish, and color–there is a hardwood floor for everyone. However, this can also make it incredibly difficult to make a final purchase with so many to choose from–how can you know which is best for you?

Choosing Between Dark or Light Wood

Once you’ve decided that a solid or engineered hardwood floor is for you, you’re faced with the impossible task of sifting through the huge range of flooring to choose from; from domestic favorites, to more exotic choices the possibilities really are endless. Each grain of wood is unique like a freshly fallen snowflake.

 

You could spend years trying to look through them all, so first things first, narrow them into two categories: light vs. dark woods.

 

Light Hardwood:

Flooring made from white oak, birch, pine, red oak, maple, ash and bamboo are among the most popular choices for light hardwood floors. These classically modern, luxurious floors are rich, bright and beautiful. There is a versatility that comes with light woods. Light flooring is also an affordable option.

 

Pros of Light Colored Hardwood Floors

1. Bigger Space- light flooring will give the illusion of an expanded space. This can be a great option if your room is smaller and you’d like to achieve a more open look.
2. Natural Look- Light hardwoods are what most people think of when they picture a hardwood floor. The true natural look of the wood shines through for a more organic look.
3. Easier Cleaning- easily one of the biggest benefits is easier cleanability. Light hardwood floors are better able to hide surface dirt, dust, and stains. They require less frequent cleaning, but are also very easily cleaned and cared for.
4. Light, Casual, Flexible Style- light hardwood floors have the ability to lend themselves well to a variety of designs and decor, making them incredibly versatile for designers. They fit well for modern, rustic, classic design–the sky’s the limit.
5. Long-lasting and durable- most light wood species are dense and strong. The dense wood is naturally resistant to scratches and dents and has increased durability. These species of wood also tend to be water and fire resistant, so you can rest easier with them in your home.

 

Cons of Light Colored Hardwood Floors

1. Prone to color fading- as time passes, hardwood flooring planks absorb sunlight which can cause color fading. As the flooring absorbs more light, it naturally darkens, while this process naturally occurs regardless if the hardwood is light or dark, the discoloration is far more noticeable in the lighter woods.
2. Subject to needing restaining, and refinishing– some light woods are softer and less dense than what was mentioned above, these of course would be more prone to dents, scratches, and blemishes on the surface which can lead to the need to refinish often.

 

Dark Hardwood:

Dark woods such as cherry, mahogany, rosewood, walnut, and red oak are among popular choices for dark hardwood flooring. These wood species offer a luxurious, exotic, and unique look. These species of wood are considered to be the toughest hardwood species, which would make dark wood floors very long-lasting and durable.

 

Pros of Dark Colored Hardwood Floors

1. Resistant to color fading- all hardwood absorbs light, resulting in color change, however dark wood is resistant to fading, and will only get deeper over time.
2. Adds a warm look and feel- another benefit of this type of wood absorbing light is that it will result in a deep, rich color which is one way to add warmth to your decor, but the flooring physically feels warm underfoot.
3. Durable, and long-lasting- the toughness of the dark wood species allows for a floor that is strong, durable, resistant to scratches, dents, and unsightly surface damage. Dark wood floors are moderately resistant to fire, water, and notably pests.
4. Adds value to your home- choosing a dark hardwood may result in higher profits and more value added to the resale value of your home. While they may cost a little more up front, in the long term they will be well worth the investment.
5. Child and pet-friendly- because of their durability and resistance to wear and tear, dark wood floors tend to stand up more easily to households with pets and children. Their dark color offers the ability to hide stains and resists color fading, scratching, and every-day damages.

 

Cons of Dark Colored Hardwood Floors

1. Cleaning is an issue- of course the dark hardwood is stunning throughout the home, the luxury and warmth is unmatched, but when it comes to cleaning and maintenance, it can be a bit tricky. Dark hardwoods don’t hide dust, light debris, and pet hair easily.
2. Shows scratches and dents- although the type of woods used are naturally resistant to scratches and dents, when they do occur the dark wood shows it ALL.
3. High initial cost- the rich luxury of dark hardwoods will put a slightly larger dent in your wallet than its light wood counterparts.

 

 

About Flowers Flooring

Flowers Flooring is your family flooring specialist with two locations – Cornelius, NC, and Winston-Salem, NC. Both locations service a 100-mile radius from the showroom. Both locations specialize in flooring sales and installation, including carpet, laminate, hardwood, sand & finish, hardwood restoration, vinyl plank, vinyl tile, rubber flooring, tile floors, tile showers, tile backsplash, area rugs, interior painting, and more. To reach the Cornelius, NC location please call (704) 445-7750 and to reach our Winston-Salem location, please call (336) 660-0977. Please be sure to inquire about our current promotion and financing offers.