Dark or Light Hardwood Flooring?

If you are planning to improve your space with hardwood floors, the question of should you get dark or light flooring will most likely arise. For some, the decision is easy, for others, there are many factors that come into play. Some of these factors may be:

• Which is easier to clean?
• Which shows more scratches and dents?
• Which best accommodates having pets?
• Which costs more?

• Which is Easier to Keep Clean?

For this, light hardwood floors have the advantage because they tend to show less dirt than dark hardwood floors. Yet, the finish you select for your hardwood floors do come into play with this factor. The more matte the finish, the cleaner your flooring will appear.

However, always removing shoes, or having a “mud room” where you, your family, and pets clean up before entering the house, will really help with cleanliness. 

• Which Shows More Scratches and Dents?

Regardless of the color of your hardwood flooring, it will get dented and scratched over time. However, dark hardwood flooring tends to show scratches more, mainly because most wood floor species are lighter and if you scratch through the dark colored stain, it shows more of a contrast with the wood underneath.

To avoid denting and scratching to your hardwood floors, we recommend a buff & coat every year, in high traffic areas, and every 3-5 years for the other areas.

• Which Best Accommodates Having Pets?

This depends on two things, the health of your hardwood floors and the color of your pet’s hair. Since, light hardwood floors show scratches less, they are generally better if you have dogs. If you decide to stain your floors dark, you may want to consider adding an extra coat of polyurethane so that they last longer.

On the other hand, if you have animals who shed and they have darker hair, a darker hardwood floor would be better as it will conceal the hair better.

• Which Costs More?

This answer for this depends less on the color of the hardwood flooring, and more on if you are doing prefinished or refinishing existing floors. If you are installing prefinished floors, the cost is usually the same for all colors across the board. However, prices can vary based on the species of wood you chose.

If you are refinishing existing hardwood floors, going for the more natural look of the original wood will be less expensive than a stain. Therefore, for this light hardwood flooring costs less.