We’ll start off by saying hardwood flooring should never be installed in below-grade spaces. It does not react well totemperature changes, moisture, and humidity. In spaces such as these, it’s a good idea to consider an engineered flooring. While still a true wood material, with a veneer of solid wood between the backing and protective layers, it does not react the same way its solid counterpart reacts.
Begin by choosing a wood species that is best rated for your home’s traffic levels. The busier your home, the harder the wood species should be to provide the best results. Softer species in an incredibly active environment can spell disaster in a floor that quickly becomes worn out under the increased stress. However, when you place that same softer wood in an area that sees little to no traffic, it can perform quite well.
Speak with your flooring specialist about the need for professional cleanings and refinishing. Keeping up with a cleaning schedule means you can keep your floors looking better, longer. Refinishing, on the other hand, can be used after a few decades, to remove years and years of wear, bringing those floors right back to an almost new finish, all over again.