What is the Best Type of Hardwood Flooring and Finish?

Many factors must be considered when trying to figure out what is the best type of hardwood flooring and finish.  Where is the flooring to be laid?  Is it a high traffic area?  Is the area likely to be damp? Is this a character restoration on an old home?  You will need to check with the manufacturer to determine if your choice covers the installation requirements that you need.

One type of finish is the surface finish where the shellac or lacquer sit on the wood and create a barrier on the wood so that stains and dirt cannot penetrate the wood.  Most families with children and pets will do well to choose engineered flooring that is very durable such as a polyurethane with aluminum oxide finish.  This flooring stands up the best to scuffs and scrapes and usually has a 20 to 25 year warranty.

Do you like a floor that is very shiny?  If so, remember that this shine will show scrapes and scratches more readily than a satin finish.  Penetrating finish is another type of finish used in hardwood flooring.  The does not sit on the wood but soaks into the wood.  This finish is very popular when used for restoring flooring in older homes.  A wax coating is then applied.  However, this type of finish is much more labor intensive, requiring regular waxing and buffing.

Whichever type of flooring finish you decide you will have a beautiful hardwood floor that adds value to your home.