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Wood has always been the top choice in home flooring. Practically every flooring guide recommends hardwood floors as the most stylish and durable options in the market, even with cheaper alternatives like laminate getting their own shares. And it’s not really hard to see why—its classic look will suit any décor theme and will add a warm, welcoming glow to any room. No matter how many times you decide to redecorate, your wood floor will always stay in style.

But there’s more to wood flooring than just form and function. Wood doesn’t come cheap, and even a small room can run you back hundreds or thousands of dollars. That’s why you have to take your time and make sure you get the best quality wooden floors for your money. Besides your budget, you also have to take into account your lifestyle, your personal tastes, and the floor’s maintenance needs. Here’s a quick buying guide to help you find wood floors that are really worth their price.

Construction

There are two main types of wood flooring: solid and engineered wood. Solid wood flooring is made from actual wood pieces, taken straight from the tree and polished before being made into planks. As you might expect, this "pure" variant is a lot denser and more durable than its engineered counterpart. Naturally, it’s also a lot more expensive—a solid hardwood floor can cost upwards of $50 per square foot. While it’s definitely worth the dollar, it’s enough to make most homeowners think twice.

If you find solid wood too costly, engineered wood is a good alternative. Engineered wood is made from several layers of timber, often with a hardwood top layer and a mix of softwoods for the lower layer. This gives you the look and feel of real hardwoods like cherry or oak, but without the high costs. Engineered wood is also a good option for homes with under-floor heating, as it holds up better against temperature fluctuations.

Finish

A common question among wood floor buyers is whether to get the wood finished or unfinished. A finished floor is one that has been cut, treated, and sealed so that all you have to do is install it. They’re much easier to work with than unfinished floors, which makes them a popular choice for DIY enthusiasts. The only problem is that the conditions have to be ideal for installation (such as a level sub-floor); otherwise the planks will look uneven and will easily crack under pressure.

Unfinished floors require a bit more work and, as the name implies, will still need some finishing. What you save in upfront price will most likely be canceled out by installation costs. But it also gives you a smoother and flatter end product compared to pre-finished flooring. The installation leaves little to no space in between the planks, so it looks more solid and there’s no room for dust and dirt to accumulate.

Grading

One factor that most buyers overlook is wood floor grading. In the U.S., wood floors are graded by the Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association or NOFMA. The grading system takes into account the surface finish, color variations, knots and grain, and the overall quality of the wood. There are four main grades given out:

-NOFMA Clear: The wood is made mostly from heartwood (the hard, often dark center of the trunk), with a uniform finish and little to no imperfections.

-NOFMA Select: The wood is still fairly uniform and even, but with a few visible streaks and knots.

-NOFMA 1 Common: The wood has more imperfections than Select, including characteristic features like large knots, discolorations, and dark streaks.

-NOFMA 2 Common: Features and imperfections are more prominent. The resulting floor will show a wide range of shades.

NOFMA Clear is considered the best quality wood, but that doesn’t mean you should always go for it. Some people actually like the imperfections characteristic of the Common grades. Try to see how they will look as a whole rather than looking at individual planks.

Maintenance

Finally, you should consider how much maintenance your wood floor will require. All floors will need some maintenance from time to time, even if they’re the sturdiest in the market. At the very least, you should give it a quick sweep every day to remove dust, dirt, and other particles that can scratch the wood. Most wood floors also come with a protective sealing, which you have to reapply every few years to protect them from the elements.

It also helps to know basic hardwood floor repair, especially if you have kids and pets around the house. Many people have to pay a professional for minor repairs, and the costs can really add up. Learn to fix common problems like squeaky floors and cracked floorboards on your own—you’ll save a lot of money in the long run.

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