Once you’ve decided on installing a hardwood floor in your residence, the next step is to decide on the sort that fits with your flooring requirements. Solid hardwood floors are solid planks of wood, generally cut 3/4 inch thick. Typically solid hardwood flooring can only be placed on above ground areas, and are very incompatible with being installed on concrete slabs simply because moisture content will damage solid wood. Engineered hardwood flooring contain three to 7 strips of wood that have been glued, laminated, and pressed together under high heated conditions to make a 1/4 inch wooden plank that is nearly identical to solid wood when installed, but engineered hardwood can be installed anywhere in the property, even areas of high moisture like kitchens, bathrooms , and basements. They can even be installed on dry concrete slabs because they are made to withstand moisture. Once you’ve decided on the sort of hardwood flooring you will need in your home, you then will need to decide on the variety that you like. You may decide you want a domestic hardwood on your floor, or maybe an exotic hardwood would compliment your personal style better. The hardwood can be installed in long strip planks. There’s also the alternative of having your new hardwood floor hand scraped or distressed to add character and depth to your floor design. Finally you will will need to determine if you want prefinished or unfinished hardwood flooring installed. Prefinished hardwood flooring comes finished once installed, whereas unfinished hardwood flooring does not.