If need to choose flooring materials, you can hardly go wrong with a hardwood floor. But how do you choose the best type for your home.

Did you know there are two types of hardwood flooring? Choosing between unfinished and pre-finished flooring can be a tough choice. Unfinished flooring used to be the most popular because it was cheaper. However, for that cost savings, you would still have to stain it and varnish it, both time-consuming ventures that added mess and a unique odor to your building project.

Pre-finished hardwood floors have thus become more popular. As it has become more popular, the price has come down considerably. It is still more expensive than unfinished flooring but not prohibitively so.

To choose between the two types consider your budget and how much time you have for staining and lacquering the wood and for airing out your work space. These are important to consider whether you are building a new home or re-flooring an existing one.

You must also decide which type of wood would be best for your home. Here are some popular varieties, from least to most expensive.

Ash is about the least expensive, costing as little as $3 per square foot, and comes in several varieties. You can often see the knots in the wood and thus it gives a very natural appearance.

, while technically not wood, is very similar to wood. It has a yellow-brown color that is wonderfully neutral. It retails for approximately $5 per square foot.

Red Oak is also very popular because it is very strong. There are a variety of widths and finishes available, all of which are very attractive.

Mahogany, that dark red-brown wood, is often thought of as a symbol of luxury. Actually, in terms of flooring, it is at about the middle of the price range. It adds and elegant touch to any room and can hold up to years of wear.

Brazilian Walnut is probably the most expensive hardwood flooring material, costing about $13 per square foot. It comes in a range of colors from light to dark, so you can easily match it to your dcor. It is a very hard surface which will hold up for decades with proper care.

Hardwood floors are a great asset to any home. No matter which type you choose, it is important to take care of it: Sweep and damp mop it regularly and avoid scraping heavy furniture or high heels over it and it should last for decades. As proof, go to an old farmhouse and see how their floors have held up. Newer floors will hold up even better because floor care technology has improved. There are many special sealants to help keep your floor looking like new.

When you are ready for new floors, be sure to consider hardwood varieties. One of them will surely work well in your home.