When people decide to remodel their floors, they often approach it with longevity in mind. One customer said it best:

I want these floors to last forever. That’s why only hardwood floors will do.

But let’s talk about that for a moment. Is there such a thing as forever floors anymore?

If you head back in time to when Baby Boomers were creating their first homes, the concept of forever had more meaning. They anticipated getting a job and working there 30 or 40 years, before retiring and settling in for the rest of their lives. They bought a house that gave them great access to an easy commute, and decorated it with the hopes it would last them “forever.”

How did that work out?

Baby boomers were the first generation to come to terms with multiple jobs, multiple careers. It is no longer a lifetime commitment. And because of that, we’re losing our concept of “forever homes” too.

We change homes on average every seven years to:

• Move to another job in another part of the city
• Move to another state for a job promotion
• Upgrade houses as our family grows
• Downsize as we face empty nest
• Change our goals
• Change our desires

We’re now a nation filled with change. And we like it that way.

So while people often come in looking for a “forever floor”, what they really want is one that is durable and holds up well to their family’s lifestyle for the foreseeable future.

Until they change their minds.

Why hardwood floors are at the top of “forever”

Have you ever walked into a historic home on a tour? Colonial America is filled with models that can whisk you back in time. And in most cases, you’ll find gleaming wood floors accentuated with an ornamental woven rug to add color and detail to the room.

Hardwood has always been popular because of its natural beauty. It’s also been one of the easiest resources to utilize as towns and cities grew up.

Of course, our definition of hardwood floors has changed quite a bit over the years. Today we have many options, even if we want to stick with the classic good looks of hardwood floors.

If you want to step it up a bit, and stretch beyond the classic oak or maple floors, think exotic. How about Brazilian Cherry? Or Australian Cypress with its rustic good looks. Or how about Ipe (also known as Brzilian Walnut); it’s one of the hardest woods available for your floors? All have the potential of giving you a unique approach to hardwood floors.

Sometimes traditional hardwood floors aren’t the perfect match for your home or lifestyle. That’s why engineered hardwood was created. It gives you the classic good looks combined with more durability. That makes it the perfect choice in places where hardwood traditionally doesn’t work – like a basement.

Thanks to today’s technology, hardwood floors have another twist; luxury vinyl planks give you access to waterproof flooring that looks very much like the real thing. The planks are so realistic, it’s sometimes difficult to tell it isn’t real unless you get down on the floor. This makes it the perfect choice when you need something more durable than traditional hardwood can offer.

People value hardwood floors in our homes

Why are so many other products being made to resemble hardwood floors? Because we value them. They are at the top of our wishlists, throughout our homes and even our office space.

Prior to 2020, home buyers placed high value on hardwood floors. Real estate agents across American would tell you that hardwood floors top every buyer’s lists of things they would like to have.

As we move out of staying in place, we’ll find people want a cleaner, more organized way of life in everything they do. They’ll want the durability that comes with hardwood floors like never before.

That makes hardwood floors one of the best investments you can make, right now.

It’s all about maintenance and durability

Have we talked enough about how durable and easy to maintain hardwood flooring is? That’s probably why you’re considering them for your own home. No matter which hardwood floor you choose to install, all it takes is an occasional swipe of a microfiber brush, a damp mop, or a swish of a vacuum to keep it looking its best.

Depending on which material you choose, that’s all you’ll have to do to keep it looking its best.

What’s more, with traditional hardwood, you also have the ability to sand it down and restore it when it starts to wear down. You can change the color with a new stain. You can restore luster and make it shine. That gives a traditional hardwood floor years – decades – of life.

Of course, traditional hardwood isn’t always the best choice for every room in your home. If you’re worried about water problems, hardwood may be more of a problem than a desire. That’s where today’s technology takes over once again.

You can continue the look of hardwood, while adding durability and resilience at the same time. Engineered wood gives you the same look and feel with a touch coating that stands up well under pressure.

And if you want maximum water resistance, look at today’s luxury vinyl planks. They can give you any look you desire, even offer more options than you’ll find with traditional wood.

What’s the best way to select the perfect flooring for your needs?

We have a great way to get started. The first thing you should do is to start designing your look through pictures.

If you love technology, start a pinboard on Pinterest. Fill it with pictures that represent your ideal home. Pay attention to the colors you select. Do you love it light – white even? Or do you prefer the classic looks of dark wood? You’ll see trends and patterns forming right away.

If you’re a more traditionalist, you can do the same with home improvement magazines. Mark your favorite looks, and find the trends that appeal to you most.

Then bring your ideas into our showroom, and let us show you many different options to suit your family’s needs and desires.

The perfect flooring choice is waiting for you. Let us help you find it today.