Hardwood floors are known to bring warmth and elegance to any home. They offer an excellent starting point for most styles of interior design. This type of flooring can last for up to three decades, and many believe that the character of the floor actually improves its aesthetic look of it over time. If you want to invest in the type of flooring that will bring the highest value to your home, authentic hardwood is a great choice.

Solid hardwood is made from harvested lumber and can be sanded and refinished again and again to renew its beauty. Aesthetically it works in almost any room, although it is not always suggested for below-grade locations, most commonly basements, since it can be vulnerable to moisture.

This type of flooring is usually pre-finished with polyurethane to enhance its appearance, help it achieve an elegant shine and also to give it a protective layer against chips and scratches. Common polyurethane finishes are semi-gloss, or matte. Semi-gloss finishes offer a glossy look that makes colors richer, whereas matte finishes are more flat and reduce the amount of light that reflects off of the floors surface. Matte finishes show less scratches and imperfections, and tend to be beneficial for homes with pets and children.