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Since the 17th century, natural wood flooring has been used in homes and revered for its inherent warmth and resiliency. Today, it is just as popular with homeowners either tackling a remodel or building from the ground up. What makes wood flooring so attractive? And with so many choices on the market how does any homeowner know what type of wood flooring to select? With a little guidance and research, any homeowner can find the perfect wood flooring for their project.
Before you get started it is important to understand the difference between your basic flooring options. You have three main choices when it comes to wood flooring:
1. Solid Hardwood
Solid wood flooring is a made from a solid piece of wood. It comes either finished or pre-finished and usually is nailed or glued down to a plywood sub floor. Most solids cannot be installed directly on a concrete.
2. Engineered Wood
Engineered wood flooring is manufactured using cross-directional laminated construction (3-5 layers) with a top layer of premium hardwood. The layers help the floor to expand and contract making it very stable and resilient. Engineered wood floors can be glued or nailed down or floated.
3. Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring, like Pergo, is not technically wood. It is created from a surface layer of two thin sheets of paper impregnated with melamine. The surface layer is a photo of wood grain. Under the photo layer is a ˝” of wood chip composite. Laminated wood flooring can be floated or glued down.
What Type of Wood Should You Use?
With so many new species of wood readily available at our fingertips, selecting a wood floor is no easy task. It is important for a homeowner to take their lifestyle, style preference and budget into consideration before making a decision. Here are some options to look into:
Traditional Woods
Oak, cherry, maple, birch and hickory have been, and continue to be, extremely popular choices for wood flooring because of their availability and durability. Costs of these species can vary greatly, ranging anywhere from $2-$13 per square foot, depending on the width and thickness of the planks and type of finish.
Exotics
Bringing in an exotic wood floor is an excellent way to create a distinct style in the home. And it doesn't have to break the bank. Some popular exotics are Brazilian Cherry ($4-$9 per square foot), Santos Mahogany ($8-$12 per sq. ft.), Sumatra Rosewood ($6-$9 per sq. ft.), and Brazilian Walnut ($8-$13 per sq. ft.). But these are just a few of your choices. One trip to a flooring store, or a quick search on Google and you will see there really is an option for every taste.
Reclaimed
Reclaimed wood is another way to add a unique flair to your project, as well as being an excellent choice for sustainability. Companies such as EcoTimber provide reclaimed wood products found in old warehouses, buildings, bridges, and other structures. Standards such as maple and hickory are available at a cost of about $6 to $10 a sq. ft.
Eucalyptus or Lyptus
Lyptus is the trade name for the hybrid of two different species of Eucalyptus. Comparable to maple in strength and durability, it is becoming a popular choice in flooring because it is fully sustainable and renewable. It runs about $5 per sq. ft.
Bamboo
Bamboo is not a wood, but rather a grass. It has the same look and feel as hardwood, and is comparable in cost to oak. It is considered "green" because it is easily renewable. However, the actual production of bamboo flooring may not always be "environmentally-friendly". It's a good idea to find out as much information as you can about the specific manufacturer before purchasing. Bamboo flooring can run anywhere between $2-$5 per sq. ft.
Cork
Cork is not a wood either, but is actually the bark scraped from the Cork Oak tree. In addition to being sustainable it is also durable, resilient, anti-microbial, fire resistant, and acoustically pleasing. It is usually purchased in tiles for about $5-$8 per sq. ft. and is very easy to install.
Coco Palm
Coco Palm (DuraPalm) is another new eco-friendly alternative to traditional solid hardwood flooring. Made from multiple layers of palm, Coco Palm is stable and durable flooring with a rich, textured look and feel. It can be purchased for about $9 per sq. ft.
Installation and Hidden Costs
There are three different installation methods with wood flooring: nailed/stapled down, glued down or floated. As mentioned earlier, the type of flooring you select will be somewhat dictated by your sub floor, and the type of sub floor you have will determine your installation options. Floating is the easiest type of installation, so if you are a do-it-yourselfer, taking this route can save you some money in labor costs. Glue down installation is the most difficult and is best left to the pros, which, of course, means more expense.
If you are on a tight budget, make sure to factor in the trim pieces you will need for your job. Thresholds and moldings can add up quickly and unexpectedly.
Also, if you are considering purchasing an unfinished wood floor because it's cheaper, don't underestimate the cost of the finishing process. The unfinished flooring will be cheaper to purchase, but may round out to the same price as pre-finished flooring once all is said and done.
Benefits of Installing a Wood Floor
In case you were still wondering whether or not to install wood floors in your home, consider these benefits:
Versatility - Wood floors work with any architectural and design style, making them a perfect choice for any home.
Cleanability - Unlike carpet, wood floors keep dirt on the surface making it easier to clean, and reducing indoor allergies.
Long life - Wood floors can be refinished multiple times, therefore making them an ideal sustainable choice.
Durability - The inherent hardness in most wood floors makes it ideal for almost any home and lifestyle.
Economical - Wood floors can last a lifetime as opposed to carpet that must be replaced every 7-10 years.
Nothing compares to the beauty of wood flooring. Don't be afraid to deviate from traditional wood flooring if you want a unique style. With all the available options, you are certain to find a product that fits with your lifestyle and aesthetic and will be part of your home for many years. 
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