Solid hardwood flooring is available in two types of planks. With the first type, unfinished planks:

1. Floors are sanded, stained, and sealed in the home. This process, which includes time for acclimation, takes up to two weeks.
2. Floors are constructed with snugly placed boards that are well sealed.
3. Floors that are constructed in kitchens are easy to keep clean. Spills cleaned up immediately are NOT likely to seep through to the subfloor.
4. The floor has a flush look.

The second type of hardwood flooring is ready for installation. With prefinished planks:

1. Flooring is sanded, stained, and sealed in the factory.
2. You can walk on your new floors soon after installation.
3. Sealant applied to the planks is usually tougher than those surfaced in the home.
4. Finish warranties are often more extended than those found on site-finished floors because of the tougher sealant.
5. These floors have a beveled look and are nailed to a wood subfloor.

Engineered wood flooring is a viable alternative for homeowners who find solid wood flooring prohibitive in cost or less practical. These floors are durable. Usually, they can be sanded down and refinished once or twice. With engineered wood:

1. Planks have a base usually made of plywood and a hardwood surface layer.
2. You can walk on your new floors soon after installation.
3. Floors can be installed over cement slabs and existing flooring.
4. Floors look the same in a room as a solid wood floor.
5. Floors tolerate moisture, unlike solid hardwood.