Above - My 1940's cottage with solid wood floors

If you are building a new house or renovating, one way to add charm and character is with solid wood floors, I say "solid" as there are a few other options including engineered wood, however, if you want quality and durability, you can't go past the beauty of solid wood. With the many types of wood finishes, I've written this post with hints on selecting the right look for your style of home. 

Wooden floors have been around for centuries which proves their durability, they add character and warmth that carpet and tiles cannot. Wooden floors can look rustic or refined depending on the finish you choose. I live in a 1940's brick cottage and lucky enough to have the original solid wood floors which have a durable gloss lacquer. I have lived in the house the past 8 years, it was renovated 4 years earlier, yet our floors are still looking great. The bonus of solid wood floors is that when my varnish eventually wears, the floors can easily be sanded back and varnished again or given a different finish. Our beach house however, has engineered wood floors with an oiled appearance, and although visually they look beautiful, they don't have the quality or durability of solid wood flooring. If we need to sand them in the future, there is only a thin slice of the solid wood glued on top of a base plywood, which means it may only be able to be done once. It was a house and land package so at the time I...