When choosing a wood floor, there are several things to consider. Will there be a lot of traffic on your floor? If so, you might want to consider harder woods, like oak and maple, and avoid soft woods like pine. Ask about the hardness of the wood before making a decision.

Is your room flooded with light from a wall of windows? All finishes will fade somewhat over time, but that fading will show more on darker floors than on lighter ones. Your floor is the largest expanse of color in a room besides the walls, and it should complement furnishings, accessories and
fabrics you plan to fill the room with. Darker colors usually work well in formal or traditional rooms and lighter colors are good for contemporary interiors.

Because of possible moisture problems, solid hardwood is not recommended for below grade installations, like basements. Engineered wood floor products are better choices for this type of area.