house remodel

14 years ago

we are talking about replacing the carpeting on the main floor in our house (about 2800+ sq ft) with hardwood floor. Right now only the entry, hallway, kitchen, and dining room have hardwook floor. Our floor plan is very open and each room on the mainfloor flows into one another and are just divided by banisters or columns. Right now the carpeted areas in the study, family room, and living room help to break the area visually up as well.

My husband argues that hardwood floor on the entire floor would not look good and it would give the house too much of a wood look.

My arguments: The carpets are 22 years old and need to be replaced. We have two dogs and they do get the carpets dirty quickly. Plus I have asthma and would like to get away from carpets. I walk around barefoot all day and I do like the feel of walking on wooden floors.

Any suggestions? Does anyone have an entire floor covered in hardwook floor? What other flooring material do you recommend mixing with the existing hardwood flooring we have?

Thanks so much for your input.

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PRO

Charmean Neithart Interiors

14 years ago

I say go for the hardwood, it is not too much wood. The beauty of hardwood in my opinion is they create opportunities for rugs, which I love for many reasons. Rugs look beautiful against hardwood, they help define spaces, and they improve the clack of hardwood floors. My husband asked me to tear out carpet and put hardwood floors in our bedroom because he has allergies. There was great improvement for him after the carpet was gone. If you do decide to mix hardwood and another material for the kitchen, consider travertine. Hope that helps. Charmean Neithart

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. · More Info

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. · More Info

First picture is ebonized hardwood floor with rugs. Second picture is travertine with rugs.

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Comments (13)

Jonathan Graham
14 years ago
Because of the floorplan, hardwood floors throughout will improve the visual flow dramatically. Dogs and carpet are a marriage made in hell. We had partial hardwood floors in the beginning and ended up extending them throughout the house. You will not regret it.
User
14 years ago
an entire wood floor gives the rooms a continuous flow. a change in the flooring material makes a demarkation in the rooms and chops up the space
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justaroundthebend
14 years ago
Use area rugs to help define a space. You will never regret going all hardwood.
feeny
14 years ago
Because I have always lived in older houses, I have always lived with hardwood floors throughout the entire house (bathrooms excepted, though I lived in one house with them there too). You can never have too much hardwood flooring. And if you don't want an unbroken expanse, that is what area rugs are for. You'll never regret putting in hardwood floors throughout. They'll last forever, and they are good for resale.
PRO
World Class Supply
14 years ago
I live in a converted barn (barns are large) and all floors are reclaimed heartpine. The rooms are very open and wood will give you a warmer feeling than carpet. Besides, if you have Asthma then there really should be no choice but to get rid of the carpet. One thing to consider with wood floors is the finish given you mention you have two dogs. A poly finish is a top coat on the wood and is not easy to repair when scratched. An oil/wax polyx finish is absorbed into the grain and is easy to repair when needed.
lobatulus
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks so much for the input. Much appreciated
PRO
J. L. Powell & Co., Inc.
14 years ago
Depending on your style and if the house is an investment property or a grow old residence, If you plan to rent the house in the future plan for that. Hardwoods are not going to be the best in the baths or the kitchen if they are not cared for properly.
PRO
J. L. Powell & Co., Inc.
14 years ago
If you would like a quote for plank wood flooring shipped direct, email your specifications or design ideas to jlpowellco@gmail.com.
PRO
Dytecture
14 years ago
I agree with Charmean, you can always lay area rug on top of hardwood if your husband feels it's too much wood, but you can't do the reverse !

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PRO
State Wide Construction & Remodeling
13 years ago
Mixing Tile and wood is also a good combination. But wood flooring throughout is beautiful as well. Visit my site for more ideas. http://www.swhomeremodeling.com/index.htm

I provide FREE in home consultations and estimates for residents of the Greater Los Angeles and surrounding communities.

High Quality Workmanship combined with Affordable Prices For Over Two Decades
PRO
Sterling Rugs
13 years ago
Don't go for woolen rugs if you have asthma. When you have pets around , it's difficult to maintain a woolen rug. Go in for a nylon / polyester rug or a dhurrie. That won't be much of a problem to maintain.
Pets and Rugs create havoc so you have to part with either of them or go in for a non woolen !
PRO
Adam & Dad LLC Hardwood Flooring Co.
13 years ago
We recently removed not very old carpet from a family member's home and replaced it with hardwood; this was because one member suffered with dust allergies there. Once the floors were in place and finished, this person experienced an almost immediate easing of symptoms and was able to reduce the medications they must take. This is not a doctor's advice, however. Hardwood floors do increase a home's value, another factor to consider.