Back in 1970, my Mom got a new watch. When she saw it, she was in a good mood, shopping around town after a parade.
She liked how it looked, and the watch’s manufacturer, Wyler, had a reputation for quality, so on impulse she picked it up.
She still wears that watch to this day.
A couple of times, I gave her a new watch for Christmas, and the next time I’d see her, she would still have on the same old watch. She even had to have it repaired a few times—but she never wanted to replace it.
When I finally asked her, “Mom, why not wear a newer, more modern watch?” she told me the one she already has is just perfect for her. It fits her well and she likes how it feels. She also likes the fact that it’s a wind-up, so she doesn’t have to worry about batteries dying on her.
And the old Wyler has a timeless look, so she doesn’t feel out of style wearing it.
A lot of people—including me—feel the same way about hardwood floors. They last for decades—even centuries. They have a “comfortable feel.” They don’t require much maintenance. And they have a timeless beauty.
Hardwood flooring has been around for centuries, yet it’s still one of the trendiest flooring looks around—if not the trendiest. In fact, “modern” types of flooring such as linoleum, laminate, and vinyl tile are often designed specifically to mimic the always-popular look of hardwood floors.
But these duplicate “hardwood floors” typically can’t match actual hardwood when it comes to durability, longevity, ease of maintenance, and long-term value for the money. And the duplicate that’s in style now may look dated in a few years, while actual hardwood flooring has long been proven not to fall out of favor.
The flooring of your home is a substantial investment, and it will go a long way toward creating your home’s character. Therefore, within your budget, your choice of flooring should be based on what appeals most to your personal style. But no matter what your taste, one thing to keep in mind—when it comes to money and appearance—is how well the flooring you choose will stand the test of time.
Just ask my Mom—timeless is good.
Photo courtesy of jonboy mitchell. Available under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.
