Regular cleaning and caring for your hardwood floor will help protect your investment. Learn how to prevent scratches, keep dirt from building up, and what to do when.

Wood continues to be one of the most preferred choices for floor coverings, and the number of wood-like flooring materials on the market is overwhelming. When it comes to real wood flooring, there are 2 main options: solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring. It is often assumed that choosing between these two types of floors is a matter of personal preference, and in many case this may be true, but let’s compare solid and engineered hardwood flooring in order to better understand their pros and cons.

Engineered hardwood is a type of wood floor that consists of 2 or more bonded layers. The bottom layers may be made of plywood, hardwood, softwood, or even High Density Fiber (HDF). The top, or ‘wear’ layer is made of real wood. The main advantage of engineered wood floors over solid hardwood is superb dimensional stability – engineered flooring is a lot more resistant to humidity and temperature fluctuations, and for this reason may be installed in a wide range of interiors. Engineered hardwood is a good choice for lakeside cottages, offices, as well as kitchens, or rooms located below grade.

Nearly 60% of Americans own dogs, and almost a third of all dog owner have 2 or more four-legged friends. With these numbers in mind, it’s easy to understand why there is a growing demand for hardwood floors that are not only green and natural, but also practical and extremely durable. But what is the best hardwood floor for a household with dogs? If you are a dog owner with a heart set on getting real hardwood floors, read on, as the tips below explain how to choose flooring that will stand up to dogs over time.

Few flooring surfaces can match the look and feel of real hardwood. It looks elegant and authentic, feels warm and smooth. Those who love hardwood, love it a lot, and opt in for real wood on all flooring surfaces in their homes, including the kitchen. Pages of Canadian Interiors or House and Home magazines feature numerous images of gorgeous kitchen interiors with designer wood floors. They look incredible in print, but is hardwood in the kitchen really a good idea?