Angie’s List: Installing hardwood floors

Hardwood flooring is hitting its stride. Once again, Hoosier homeowners are considering adding hardwood to their homes. But before making a purchase, consider if it's the right floor for you.

"Flooring: It's really nice looking in homes and gives a richer look," said Kris Goff of Mainstyle Flooring.

Goff said the two choices people need to consider when shopping for hardwood floors are solid or engineered.

Goff said, "Hardwood is actually a solid piece of wood all the way down."

Engineered hardwood takes thinner pieces of hardwood and layers them on top of each other in an alternating pattern.

"The wood doesn't expand and contract like you would a solid," said Goff.

But Goff said that means engineered hardwood can go places, solid hardwood shouldn't.

"I would say you wouldn't want to put solid hardwood flooring on a concrete floor in a basement. You know engineered flooring is great for that, going below grade or on concrete," said Goff.

Angie Hicks of Angie's List said if buyers have the time, skills and equipment, installing hardwood floors can be a do it yourself job.

But, if you decide to hire someone to do the job, take a close look at work they've already done.

"You need someone that really understands the process of installing the hardwood floors and the type of hardwood floor you're going to have installed," said Hicks.

"Whether you're going to have a solid hardwood or an engineered hardwood, the expertise can be different, so you want someone with experience in the type of hardwood floor you’re actually going to install," she said.

Hardwoods however aren't perfect. They get scratched, gouged and can fade. So you need to take care of them, once their down.

Goff said, "You don't want to use a lot of water or anything or household products like waxes, and things like that or detergents... it's not good for it."

Solid and engineered hardwood will cost you about the same amount of money said Kris Goff, depending on the quality of the wood.

He said an average estimate is between $7 and $8 a square foot installed. That's just under a $1,000 for a 10 by 12 room.