Hardwood floor is flooring that is made from true hardwoods. The floor is nothing but planks of wood. They can be finished in any number of ways with a variety of stains. For many, there is nothing more beautiful and more natural to have in your home than true hardwood floors. Yet, the purchase of these floors is an expensive one and therefore anyone doing so should make their decisions wisely.

When you are on the market for a hardwood floor, you'll want to consider several things including these:

? Your first instinct may be to look into the cheapest options out there. But, when it comes to hardwood floor, you really should invest in quality, not inexpensive materials. They will pay off in the look, durability and long lasting qualities.

? You should consider the various types of woods first. Throughout the web you can find details about how strong each type of wood is, what grain

pattern it has, and how well it works as a hardwood floor. Consider your options closely as there are many options to consider! Not sure? Request samples to be sent to you! We recommend oak flooring for durability and a beautiful finish. Pine is fine, especially with wide boards but it is very soft, unless you buy a hard pine like white pine. Cherry wood flooring is one or our favorites for its exceptional beauty but can be quite expensive but will add to the overall value of your home. If you can't afford it throughout, try a room, like an office or den. Finish it with a light stain.

? You will also want to consider how rare the wood is as well. The more rare and exotic it is, the more costly it will be. But, if it is what you want, you will not need to worry about price!

? You will also want to know what type of stains you will use and can use on the hardwood floor. Stains are a matter of personal taste and your overall decor. You don't have to apply a stain and just apply a urethane. This application will give you a blond or natural finish depending on the wood. Cherry, mahogany will be naturally darker than an oak or pine. You will likely want a specific color, but also you'll need a number of protective coatings put on as well. Apply at least two coatings, one with a sealant and the second a polyurethane. The best durability is applying three coatings. This will help you to protect the floor from scratches, dents, and things that happen to fall onto it. You may want to consider special waterproofing for areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. If you are doing it yourself, ask your lumberyard, Home Depot, Lowe's for their advice on a sealant. New paints and sealants come on the market weekly.

For you do-it-yourselfer's read this article written by a professional refinisher.