If you're considering installing hardwood floors, it's good to know that not only are they beautiful—something you’ve already figured out—but they’re one of the most practical decisions you can make.

Think about it: Hardwood flooring lasts the life of a house, and then some. It can even be given a “mid-life kicker” by refinishing it at minimal cost and it will be reborn as a beautiful new floor.

So class, here's your Hardwood Floors 101:

Where can I put it?
Hardwood isn’t only economically practical, it's also functionally practical. Put it in living rooms, dining rooms, family rooms and kitchens. In other words, put it anywhere you want and you'll be able to enjoy the beauty of wood flooring. In addition, you can install it directly onto concrete slabs, either on grade or above grade, and on conventional wood joist construction over a basement or a crawl space.

Are there hardwood "cheaters"?

Obviously, not all hardwood is the same. What we think of as hardwoods are primarily oak, ash, cherry, maple and poplar that have grown in North America’s temperate climate. There are also a number of imported "exotic hardwoods” available that use North American-sounding names, but let's face it: They're not true hardwoods. So-called "Tasmanian oak" isn't oak at all; it's eucalyptus from Down Under. "Brazilian cherry" isn't cherry, and "Malaysian oak" actually is rubber wood from tropical rubber tree plantations. So if you're considering hardwood flooring, ask questions to be sure you're getting true American hardwood.

Is all American hardwood the same?

Aside from the obvious differences between species of hardwood in color and grain patterns, they're all equally strong and serviceable. There are grades of wood based on their appearance. They range from no eye-catching blemishes to major burls and markings. Your choice of grade is really one of aesthetics. You may favor the totally clear look or prefer more of the natural beauty of the wood, markings and all.

What's the difference between surface and penetrating finishes?

A surface finish of polyurethane forms a protective layer on the floor. You'll get an extremely durable coating. It's moisture- and wear-resistant and suitable for use on any floor in the home.

Penetrating finishes do just what the name implies. They’re absorbed right into the floorboards and are then covered with a coat of floor wax. Penetrating finishes provide a good durable finish for any floor in the house, with the added benefit of being less costly to refinish—just remove the old wax and lay down a new coat.

Is one finish better than the other?

"Urethanes" are usually recommended for kitchens or other areas exposed to stains and spills. The downside to urethanes is that once they wear through, they're more costly and time-consuming to refinish than woods finished with penetrating stains. Refinishing urethane requires sanding down to bare wood and then refinishing.

What about prefinished hardwood flooring?

Getting flooring that comes from the factory already finished means you’ll know exactly how your floor is going to look, and you can walk on it as soon as it is installed.

A disadvantage is that both your sub floor and installation have to be perfect, because there’s no opportunity for sanding to erase any mistakes.

Is it tough to keep hardwood floors looking good?

No, it’s amazingly easy: just clean them. The single most important thing you can do to preserve the look of your floors is to keep them clean and dust-free.

Regularly use a dust mop and vacuum cleaner to remove all traces of dust or dirt. Any grit on the floor acts just like sandpaper and grinds through the finish faster than years of walking. Also, be sure to keep your mop grit-free, as a mop rubbing a piece of grit across the surface can make an awful gouge on that beautiful hardwood.

Tips for keeping hardwood floors in great shape:

• Use dirt-trapping, walk-off mats at entry doors to pick up any dirt or grit.

• Place area rugs in front of sinks, refrigerators and other heavy foot-traffic areas such as in front of the couch.

• Put felt pads on the legs of your furniture. If you have to move the furniture, lift it, don’t slide it.

• If you have shoes with deep treads, be sure they don’t have any stones trapped in the treads that will scratch or dent the floors.

• Remember that high heels can dent a hardwood floor.

[Image: istockphoto | Thinkstock]

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When you're ready to buy and install your beautiful hardwood floors, we recommend the expert designers and installers at Floor Coverings International.

Content provided by Living With My Home.