Would you put in hardwood flooring?

[GoofItUp]

DH and I have wanted to change our flooring for some time. They are about to tear down the building he went to high school in, and there is beautiful hardwood flooring throughout. The contract to tear down the building will be awarded tonight at a school board meeting, and my FIL (who still lives in the area) has said he will contact the contractor about allowing us to purchase some of the flooring. So, would you put this kind of flooring in your home? I know I'd have to invest in lots of LARGE area rugs and would also have to polish the floors periodically, but I keep thinking about how nice-looking this could be. Is it worth the install and maintenance effort?

 

[Alice28]

We went through this debate two summers ago...we were given the money to do it by my mother in law...we went back and forth for two weeks as to get hardwood, or go with the top of the line Pergo. For us, we chose the Pergo because we have young children and it is practically indestructible; and you don't have to polish it like hardwoods. However, I think if our kids were older, we would have went with hardwoods cause they ARE beautiful. The Pergo I chose was called Honeyed Pine and it's a beautiful warm reddish/amber color, with pine"knots" interspursed throughout....we've had it two years and I still just sigh with infatuation when I look at it. Our carpets were AWFUL and so was the kitchen linoleum!

 

[nealymouse]

I would do it in a heart beat !!!

Nothing beats the look of "REAL" hard wood floors. And think of this.
These floors are still in good shape and they are coming out of a school that has been in use for how long ? Most likley YEARS


I wish I could get a deal like that

 

[Ranatra]

I would definately do it, wouldn't even hesitate.

We have hardwood floors in our house and we are going to have hardwood floors put in the kitchen this summer.

 

[clh2]

If I could afford hardwood floors in some of our rooms, I would do it in a minute!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Go for it!!

I have hardwood floors in two of my rooms (kitchen and formal dining room, which is actually used as an office). I still like carpet in bedrooms, but if I could I would put hardwood floors in my LR and hallway!

 

[mommytotwo]

We had tile in our dining room, and then replaced it with the hardwood flooring and I like it much better. It also makes the area look more up to date, and freshing.

 

[Desnik]

My whole house with the exception of my kitchen(pergo) and 1 bathroom are all hardwood floors. My house was built in the 30's and the floors are gorgeous!! It was 1 of the reasons I loved this house when we first saw it! There really is nothing like the old hardwood flooring. I've had 2 previous houses and we had pergo in some rooms and bathrooms. DH installs them as part of his "side job". I really like them and they are easy to clean and up keep. I also like them for a kitchen and bath area. But still, nothing beats the look of the hardwood.
JMHO

 

[cats mom]

Another 'go for it' vote.
We had an older home with hardwood floors - they really are not that hard to keep up and are so beautiful!
If we planned to be in our present home longer, I would tear out the tile in a heartbeat for hardwood!

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

We DID!

Our hallway, entryway, eating bar, dining room and computer area are all done in hardwood. We went the tongue in grove way, with the pre-finished pieces..... but eventually will have it sanded down and sealed. It is beautiful - two kids, two 100 pound indoor dogs... and I wouldn't trade it for anything!!!

I say go for it!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

We have hardwood through most of our downstairs. It was stained a very dark color when we bought the house. Last summer we paid to have it sanded down to a natural color and then sealed.

There is nothing like being able to mop your floor when you have 3 dogs and 3 kids. I wish I could afford to get hardwood installed on the top floor also.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have them through out the whole house and LOVE them....I dont like carpets because there is just to much dirt and germs in them and I really don't like the look of pergo---even the top of the line looks fake but I love the look and cleanliness of real hardwood floors.

 

[Disney Doll]

When we bought our house, it had a lovely olive green rug throughout the first floor. Underneath it was the most beautiful hardwood flooring you have ever seen!!!! We ripped that rug up, and had that hardwood redone, and also put it in our kitchen. Ours was finished with an water based acrylic finish, so I never have to polish it etc. I wash it with a combination of window cleaner and water(yes, I did say window cleaner)and it shines up beautifully. And it is very durable. And there is a lot of activity, traffic, dog etc. in my house. It is not a museum.

I would do it again in a minute, as ling as I got the same finish. Every ten years it has to be sanded and referehsed, but that's not bad. Other than that, it's the window cleaner and water route.

As an FYI, we have oak cabinets in our kitchen, so the floor guy recommended a wide board(I want to say the boards are 4" or 6" wide) hardwood in the kitchen so it wouldn't look so busy. The rest of the house has the standard 2" or 3" wide hardwood planks.

 

[GoofItUp]

Thanks to all for your replies! You've given me the confidence to go for this! Toby's Friend - the hardwood flooring in your picture is just beautiful! I'll let you all know how it turns out!

 

[my3kids]

Absolutely! Once installed and finished, they will not require much more than vacuuming. You'll probably have them sanded and refinished once they are put down. A good quality finish will be practically maintence free.

 

[Christine]

I just had my whole house done in hardwood floors last year and I love it. Just make sure that once you get the floors in (if necessary) get a finish put on it. Then there will be no waxing and polishing. Just sweep (vacuum) and clean with water/vinegar mixture. Very simple.