A wooden floor can create a homey feel and a sense of longevity that plastic and other manufactured flooring materials can't. There is a lot that can be done from the planning phase to the color of the wood used. When you look past the color of the boards, you will likely make sure the wood floor will work in the place for a long time.
Consider what type of activities will occur in the rooms. If the floor is going in a hallway or kitchen the surface wood needs to withstand a lot of feet and spills. In the case of bedrooms, you can get more of a decorative finish. Each has its own unique look and feel. But solid wood, engineered wood, and parquet finishes will all have different appearances, so it is best to choose one that looks the best in the context of the room.
Pay close attention to any existing base. Before any wood can be put down, the base needs to be dry, flat, and be stable. This may involve fixing old boards or performing a concrete moisture test before final prep steps are applied. Even though base work may not be readily visible, it is one of the most important parts of any wood floor.
You can change the look and feel of a room based on how you arrange the floorboards. If you arrange the floorboards in a narrow area parallel to its length, it gives the illusion that the area is longer. If you arrange them in the direction of the main light source, it can showcase the floorboard's patterns. Make sure to consider any doorways and neighboring rooms in advance so that the transitions look intentional and not last minute.
It's also important to consider what finish you want. Oil will allow you to do touch-ups later on and can give the wood a more natural look. Lacquer is an option that can give the wood a more consistent and sealed look which is more ideal for homes that want low-maintenance cleaning. Both options can look very nice as long as they are selected based on what style the household and wood are.
A wooden floor is a long-term feature of the home. With great attention to detail, accurate measurements, proper prep work, and quality workmanship, the floor will look and feel great even as it ages.