5 Tips to Help You Shop for Hardwood Floors

Shopping for hardwood flooring? There's a lot to know about the stuff. I've put together a list of five tips to help educate you on hardwoods. This way, you'll have a good idea what you want before you even step into the showroom (where the salesman will try to tell you what you want...).
  1. Know the two kinds of genuine hardwood flooring -- Hardwood floorboards come as either solid or engineered wood.  Which you choose will affect how much you pay (click the link to read an article comparing the two).
  2. Laminates aren't the same thing as hardwoods --  Laminates can look like hardwood, but they aren't made from wood--at all.  They're generally less desirable to potential homebuyers, but they are more affordable.
  3. Hardwood flooring isn't for every room in the house -- Since wood is susceptible to water damage (it can rot, warp, etc.), it's usually not recommended for bathrooms.  Engineered boards can be installed on any floor, but solid wood boards (because they're more susceptible to shrinking and expanding from moisture/temperature changes) aren't usually used below ground level, such as in basements. 
  4. Species makes a big difference -- Depending on what tree is used, hardwood floors can vary a lot in color, grain patterns, and texture.  Look at a lot of different species of wood when you're shopping around.  If possible, see the wood installed (or at least photographs of it in a room), rather than just looking at sample boards.
  5. Save time with pre-finished hardwoods -- You can either buy pre-finished hardwoods or you can buy them unfinished, meaning they will be stained on site.  The latter require a lot more maintenance and frequent re-staining.  Pre-finished boards are much less hassle in the long run.

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