Make sure you choose a wood that can withstand heavy traffic in areas like the kitchen. Be sure to go through the manufacturer warranty regarding maintenance and care. If you do not know what you are doing, please hire a professional to install your wood flooring. One mistake can cost you a lot and at times even mean replacing an entire newly laid floor! For information on kind of stains, ask an expert from your local home improvement store.
A moisture barrier between your wood flooring and the sub floor is very important. Check all boxes of wood boards to see the color variation before you begin installing. The wood should be allowed to acclimatize to the climate where you will install it. Always use vacuuming or dry mopping for cleaning your wood flooring.
Donts
Do not ever use hardwood flooring in an area that has a lot of moisture like the bathroom or a basement. If you are looking for new flooring for a summer cottage or another place that you do not visit frequently, hardwood flooring is not the best option. Wood floors need constant care and attention. Do not use any harsh cleaners or ones that are wax based, these will only dull the surface finish quicker. Similarly, hard abrasives or steel wool can harm and damage your hardwood floors.
You should never use too much water to clean wood floors. Try not to walk on the floor with high heels or spiked sport shoes. These can cause dents and scratches. Spills that contain moisture should be cleaned instantly as moisture can seep into the wood spoiling it. This can cause major problems in some time. Some floor areas have to be completely replaced due to moisture issues even though this can be easily prevented!
Some popular choices for hardwood floors
The oaks are a popular variety with both the white and red colored ones in a pale color and a slight pink streak in the red one. Both of these oak varieties can be easily used in all kinds of wood projects. The red oak variety is a softer wood than the white one. However, it is easier to saw and nail the red variety.
American cherry though popularly used for making cabinets, can be used for flooring as well. It is easy to work with and the wood variety is photosensitive. This means it changes its color with time, getting darker when it ages.
Hard Maple makes an excellent choice for floors. It is a harder wood than oak and is a natural abrasion resistant wood surface. The early settlers in America used it quite commonly.
A strikingly reddish brown colored wood that ages into a rich burgundy color is the Jajoba or the Brazilian Cherry. This wood is much harder than some mahogany woods and this is what makes it quite expensive.