The natural look of hardwood floors will match any home décor imaginable. Once thought to be suited only for living rooms and dining rooms, Hardwood flooring has gained the distinction of the flooring of choice for virtually any room in your home. Hardwood floors are easy to maintain and will last for years while gaining character as they age.

The Look:

Wood has become extremely popular as homeowners are increasingly drawn to natural materials. It's also becoming more widely used in kitchens.

The Strength:

Hardwoods are a practical choice for durability as manufacturers are using aluminum oxides to create harder finishes.

The key to a woods durability is its thickness and its polyurethane finish. The typical ¾ - inch-thick flooring contains three to seven layers of wood and the top should be at least 1/8- inch. That's so the floor can be lightly buffed after loosing its luster, typically in seven to ten years.

The Feel:

Wood is a middle of the road – softer than stone or ceramic tile, harder than vinyl and laminate.

The Clean up:

Easy. Grain hides spills and some scuffs.