The area matters: it’s important to take note of the type of heating you have in your home. You can still use wood flooring if you have hot-water or electric radiant heat but be sure to follow instructions from the manufacturer.
Harder woods should be used in main living areas like the first floor, kitchen and family rooms. You can opt for softer floors in the bedrooms or on the third floor.
You can use wood flooring in the kitchen. Just be sure to clean up leaks and spills right away. It’s also a good idea to run a fan to dry out the floor after it gets wet.
Boards can buckle from moisture. Run a dehumidifier in high-moisture areas to prevent this from happening.
The glossier the finish, the more the floor will hold up to traffic. However, it will show that traffic more than a matte finish.
