Wood floors boost charm, price of homes

When general contractor Shane J. McNeill decided to spruce up the white oak floors in his Stoughton ranch home, he didn't just sand and refinish the aging hardwood: He put down an inlay of Brazilian cherry, American walnut, and maple, creating an intricate border in his kitchen and dining room.

"That's the beauty of wood flooring," says McNeill, adding that it provides "warmth to your home"

That's not all it does: A survey of realtors by the National Wood Flooring Association showed homes with wood floors sell faster - for higher prices.

And although the $24.6 billion floor covering industry has felt the effects of the housing slowdown, sales of hardwood flooring have been constant, says Christopher P. Ramey, a flooring expert and columnist for Flooring Covering Weekly.

"Wood floors last longer than the current fashions or than other surfaces such as carpet or vinyl," says Ramey. "They are not a design liability."

If you live in a house built before the 1970s - and for New England, that is much of the architectural landscape - chances are you have wood floors, even if they're hidden under carpet. At one point, wood flooring had 96 percent of the residential market share, says Howard Brickman of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, which sets standards for hardwood flooring inspectors.

"You didn't really get a choice in those days," says Brickman. "It was either red oak or white oak."

Today's flooring market has introduced a forest of newcomers, including bamboo, cork, mahogany, teak, and even wood-imitating laminates.

With more than 50 kinds of woods to choose from, Peter Fallon, a Needham-based builder and renovator of luxury homes, recommends homeowners decide what look they want to achieve and then let selection be dictated by cost. "Wood floors come in different types and styles, as well as colors, cuts, and grades," says Fallon. "You also need to consider whether the flooring will be in a high-traffic area and what sort of maintenance it might need."

Bamboo, for example, is an increasing popular eco-flooring option, a versatile material that is made of stems or strands compressed into durable planks that can be stained.

Teak, an exotic hardwood available from renewable sustainable plantations, is an oilier, water-resistant flooring suitable for high-end applications.

Whatever the kind, wood that is properly cared for should "last forever," says Brickman of the certification organization. He's a master craftsman who helped create the interior wood paneling of the Hatch Shell in Boston.

Add today's tough urethane finishes, and most floors require little maintenance other than sweeping and cleaning. And don't worry about the scratches. "If you're someone who likes to push your piano around for exercise, you're going to scratch your floor. That's part of the patina," he says.