Hardwood Flooring 101

Nothing adds warmth and value to a home like wood floors. Over 90 percent of real estate agents in a national survey said that homes with wood floors sell more quickly and for higher prices than other homes without wood flooring. Some people shy away from hardwood flooring because they believe that they're high maintenance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Today's specially formulated finishes are as tough as they are beautiful. Only occasionally will you want to do a thorough cleaning with a recommended wood floor cleaning solvent, and it's well worth it to keep your wood floors in glowing good health. Another concern many people have is that wood floors are somehow bad for the environment. Actually, wood floors are ecologically friendly. Recycled wood from old ships, barns and even old wood floors is highly prized for its "distressed" characteristics. Wood is also a good choice for allergy sufferers since its surface doesn't collect dust, dander and other allergens. There are many types and styles of wood floors and many types of wood can be used in them. The most common styles are: