Polyurethane is the best finish for hardwood flooring because it protects the floors extremely well and can come in various sheen levels, like matte, satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss.

Some other options for wood floor refinishing are tung or linseed oil. While they help the wood look more natural, these finishes are a lot harder to maintain. They have to be reapplied more often, scratch easily, and may require special cleaning products.

It costs an average of $600 to $2,300 to install 100 square feet of flooring. This includes the cost of the actual flooring and the labor required to install it. And, the price tag will fluctuate depending on how much space needs flooring, the type of wood you go with, and any issues that come up.

Neutral tones like light brown, medium brown, and gray are the best for resale because they appeal to the most people. So, when someone's strolling through your home, they'll have an easier time picturing themselves—and their furniture—in it.

Hardwood flooring costs $6 to $23 per square foot for solid hardwood, $6 to $20 for engineered hardwood, and $6 to $15 for prefinished hardwood. Factors that affect the price include the wood's quality, the finish, and who's supplying it.

It costs $6 to $21 per square foot on average to install hardwood floors, but this number can change based on how large of an area you’re working with, the type of wood you use, the labor costs in your area, and any issues that come up in the process.

Oak, maple, and hickory are the best wood flooring for the money since they're the most affordable and durable and offer a range of shades.

As a rule of thumb, flooring made from wood grown in the U.S. tends to be cheaper than flooring made from exotic wood, like Brazilian Cherry or Australian Cypress.

Engineered hardwood is even more affordable since it's not solid wood.

Engineered hardwood is slightly cheaper than solid hardwood flooring since it's made from plywood versus solid wood.

You can find eco-friendly hardwood flooring options in Long Island at Sycamore Flooring, where we offer bamboo, cork, linoleum, recycled glass tile, reclaimed wood, and other sustainable alternatives.

Eco-friendly options in stock now:

Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo grows fast, which means it can regenerate (or renew) quickly. It's durable, attractive, and available in various styles at Sycamore Flooring.

Cork Flooring
Cork can be harvested without hurting the actual tree, which is why it's an eco-friendly option. Cork also has natural thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

Linoleum
This type of flooring is made from linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, and pigments. It's biodegradable and durable, and we offer it in a variety of colors and patterns.

Recycled Glass Tile
Glass tiles made from recycled materials are environmentally friendly and come in various colors and designs. They are non-toxic and easy to maintain.

Reclaimed Wood
This is wood from old buildings, barns, or other structures, which means it's essentially recycled and helps preserve trees.

Concrete Flooring
Concrete can use recycled materials like fly ash or glass aggregate. It's also great at keeping a room cool and reflecting light.

Natural Stone
Stone flooring options like slate, granite, or travertine are durable and long-lasting. We get our stone from local vendors to reduce transportation emissions.

Hardwood is more expensive than LVP. However, hardwood floors may offer better long-term value because they're more durable and stay in fashion longer, which means you don't need to replace them as much.

On the other hand, LVP flooring often provides a more budget-friendly option with lower initial costs and easier installation.