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Walnut Floors: Trendy or a Good Investment?

January 10, 2023

Walnut is one of the oldest tree species, dating back to 7,000 BC, and has been used for flooring in homes since the 1880s. Walnut flooring has seen a rise in popularity in the last few years, so we've put together a list of pros and cons to help you decide if walnut is the right wood for your floors.

Hardwood Restoration

The popularity of hardwood floors will probably be around for a while. Wood floors bring warmth and a glow to a space that is difficult to recreate with other flooring materials. However, the popularity and use of certain wood types tend to change with time. Here, we talk about walnut floors in Richmond, VA and whether their popularity is warranted as a classic or if they're not worth the investment.

Pros

Rich, deep colors: Walnut is known for its dark colors. Walnut ranges from warm, chocolatey brown to cool, dark black with hues of purple.
Beautiful natural look: This wood shows off its uniqueness with its easily visible grains and knots, a perfect choice for someone who loves the appearance of natural wood.
Easy to clean: All it takes to clean walnut floors is some mopping or a bit of spot–cleaning.
Increase home value: Having hardwood floors in your home is highly sought after, increasing your home's worth. Installing walnut flooring is a great way to boost your home’s value.
Natural insect repellant: Walnut wood naturally repels insects, so you can rest assured that there won’t be any harmful little bugs lurking underneath your floors.
Natural insect repellant: Walnut wood naturally repels insects, so you can rest assured that there won’t be any harmful little bugs lurking underneath your floors.
Moisture resistant: Walnut wood is moisture resistant, making it a good choice for high–humidity climates.
Easy to install: If you choose to install walnut wood flooring, you can count on a quick installation.

Cons

Dark colors only: Walnut wood only comes in dark tones, so walnut is not the best fit if you’re looking for lighter–toned flooring in your home.
Easily damaged: Walnut wood is not known for its density. Walnut flooring is softer than some other hardwood flooring and can dent, scratch, or scuff if not adequately cared for.
Not for small spaces: Dark flooring can make a space feel smaller and more enclosed. Lighter–toned flooring would be a better look for a small room.
Frequent cleaning: Though walnut flooring is easy to clean, dark wood shows debris more. Walnut floors will require more frequent cleaning to look tidy and polished.

Conclusion

Walnut hardwood flooring is a rich and beautiful wood that is insect repellant, great in humid climates, and easy to install and clean. However, it’s not well–suited for small spaces and may require more frequent cleaning. Consider how sturdy you need your wood floors to be and whether a darker wood suits your interior design preferences. If you’re okay with a darker, slightly softer wood, walnut flooring is worth the investment.

If you have more questions about walnut hardwood flooring or want to start a project, Footprints Floors is here to help! We are experts in hardwood flooring, installations, scratch repairs, restorations and more. Contact us today for a free estimate on your next project!

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Key Takeaways

Choosing walnut floors depends on your personal style and maintenance preferences
Walnut flooring has a rich, dark appearance that adds warmth and natural character to a home
Its softer composition makes it more prone to scratches and wear compared to other hardwoods

Introduction
Pros of Walnut Flooring
Cons of Walnut Flooring
Is Walnut a Good Investment?

Scott Ogburn

Virginia Owner

I was born and raised in Virginia to a large family of five boys. I met my wonderful wife Melissa at church and we were married 27 years ago. We were blessed with four children, Hannah, Caroline, Jonathan and Luke. The girls have graduated college and are blessed with good jobs; the boys are still in college.

My dad was a wonderful Christian man and a hard worker who taught us to treat others with the highest respect and ethical standards. Almost all of us boys have worked in the construction industry to work our ways through school and feed our families. Two of my brothers still work in the construction field and continue to maintain the high standard of excellence we learned from dad.

I have earned two master's degrees. The first in math education allowed me to teach high school mathematics in the Richmond area for 5 years, first at Powhatan High school and then at the Governor's School. The second degree was a Master's of Divinity. After graduation in 2002 I served for a short period in a South Carolina church as the church administrator and youth director. Then in 2004 our family moved to Albania where I served with a Christian leadership and church planting ministry. We lived full time in Albain for seven wonderful years. Po, flas shqip!

After returning from Europe, I was blessed to start a successful business that helps families find safe senior living options. I still own and manage this business because of the fabulous employees who put our families' interest first and always do the right thing by them. I am excited to bring my many years of experience in serving others to the flooring industry in Virginia.

About The Author