I wouldn't do carpet. Stick with the wood and rugs.

I would stick with wood, because it is much easier to replace a rug should one of the little ones have an accident. Rugs also will allow you a much easier and less expensive change, if you want to go with a different color scheme in the future. You can move them around to different rooms and/or new angles. You just can't do that with carpet.

www.queenbeeofhoneydos.com

This is definitely the trend. With a good wood floor, you can change out rugs and pads as your style changes. It's a classic look and although you do have to dust it, at least it doesn't hold the dust like carpeting. Yes, wood it what 95% of our clients choose when updating floor finish or adding rooms to their homes. And really, there are many good choices in flooring today and almost any wood, tone and color is available.

Thank you all so much for your input. I guess I am definitely leaning toward the wood for all of those reasons! I am probably just a little nervous, because I am not 100% sure I love the wood I chose. Our builder has a limited selection and I chose the one I liked best. I want a rustic/ industrial look. Given more options ( and a bigger budget) I would chose a wide plank white oak. In any event, this flooring should be a lot nicer than carpeting!

Wood is better. You then have the option of room or area rugs.

Carpet absorbs smell and dust and emits chemical fumes.

Accidents can happen on the wood floor and the damage it so don't think it's without potential problems. We just got our hardwood floor down when our dog got sick and started drinking tons of water due to stomach issues. She doesn't bark when she needs out so she peed and pooped all over the living room! Fortunately my husband woke up and saw it so it didn't damage the floor. Now we put down piddle pads every night just in case.

You will love the wood! It allows you more freedom for area rug choices upstairs, and kids.......well they are known for a middle of the night barf event or two before they are grown and out? :)

Get the wood, can't wait until we can afford to rip out the wall-to-wall in our bedroom, really, really hate it!

My entire house is hardwoods. There is some maintenance to the floors, but I don't have to worry about stains in carpet.

My 2300 sq ft main floor is hardwood, it's been 5 years and still love it. I only steam clean, no chemicals, you won't regret it. If you change your mind years later, that's what large area rugs are for.

Linda, if you steam clean your hardwood floor, you're going to ruin it. Hopefully some of the flooring pros will stop by and back me up on this. If not, check out some of the threads on caring for hardwood floors as that's what they all say--water damages wood.

Hayley, never heard this. Can anyone else tell me more? I will definitely research, thanks.

Engineered hardwoods are laminated veneers over a wood base, to give the appearance of hardwood. So a veneer of a certain thickness is glued onto a wood base, either a solid wood or a composite. If you use a steam cleaner, you're applying hot water at pressure onto the floors veneer. Steam can get between the veneers and base and pop up the veneer, ruining the floor. You'll get a lot of advice to use steam, and/or vinegar. Vinegar is very acidic and can etch the finish. I suggest you talk to your flooring vendor and see what they suggest. I am not an expert, but I am a mechanical engineer, and anecdotally, I did mess up an older engineered wood floor using my steam mop and vinegar. It was going to be replaced eventually, but popped veneer looks awful. Our contractor bought us Bonanza and we're pleased with that. In the kitchen, just don't let spills set.

That's BONA cleaner.

Hi Linda...steam is forbidden for wood, laminate, vinyl, lino and anything that has a 'finish'. Steam is "allowed" with concrete, stone, ceramic, porcelain, glass and metal...that's it. I know the commercials show a steamer running accross a "wood looking" floor...but that is to advertise so that more people purchase.

A steam cleaner will void most warranties which means it is the MANUFACTURER of the wood/finish that allows "steam"...and most do not. I would bet dollars to doughnuts that you are not supposed to use steam with your hardwoods.

Hardwoods have finishes that can be "cooked". Steam can eventually "haze" or start to turn milky white. The only solution = full sand and refinish. This can reduce your finishes life from 25 years...down to 7-10 years. When you cut the "life" of a finish in half...it gets expensive. More expensive than the steamer...or a microfibre mop with the proper cleaner.

Your hardwood floors were finished on site or produced with a finish. If you can find out who made the finish, you can find out what they make for a "cleaner". In general, hardwoods require "slightly damp mop" (microfibre mop that is dampened with a water...never on the floor) about once a week.

A mircofibre "dust mop" (dry) is the daily procedure. An extra clean = 1-2 PER MONTH with the hardwood floor cleaner (from the manufacturer of the finish or something similar). Do NOT use Murphy's Oil Soap. It will kill your finish faster than the steam!!!!!!

Armstong, Bruce and Bona produce hardwood floor "cleaners" that work nicely and are relatively inexpensive. A $10 bottle = 1-2 years of cleaning (you only use it 1-2 per month).

Cancork gave good info. Do not use a steamer on your hardwood.

tashabug, if you're not happy with the choices of hardwood, why not do a little leg work and maybe choose something more to your liking?

I would love to do that Evergreen, however, the builder does not allow any custom options. Doing my own flooring after the fact doesn't make financial sense. I have to be able to build the cost into the mortgage.

I called my builder/floor installer and I'm sticking with my steamer. Steam drys so fast it will not harm your floor. Everything else builds layers of product/shine and you will have to strip it eventually.

I did not see any of the new comments before responding above. I will call manufacturer. I don't like Bona, it leaves my dogs footprints everywhere.

Read the ingredients of Bona.....too many chemicals for me!

Although it is not recommended, I have on occasion used my steam cleaner on my wood floors. I will say though, that steam cleaners can force the moist air down into the wood fibers which can eventually lead to some separation or cupping. It happens slowly and over time, so an obvious change may not be noticed. As such, I never recommend steam cleaners for floors. I should practice what I preach. :-)

A good organic way to clean hardwood is with white vinegar. This is my most common method. It not only cleans but also disinfects and deodorizes. I just mix it in a spray bottle with distilled water, mist lightly and clean with a microfiber mop. I have used Bona from time to time, but I like the results that I get with the vinegar better. My husband is not crazy about the smell, but it only last for a bit, so he goes with it.

http://www.queenbeeofhoneydos.com

We replaced all the carpet in our house with hardwood throughout and I couldn't be happier with our decision! Super easy to keep clean, looks good throughout the house, easy to decorate with rugs! I use a special cleaning product provided by the flooring manufacturer, but only once a month. The rest of the time I just use our Miele vacuum.

Engineered wood is supposed to be more moisture tolerant that a simple hardwood floor. I have yet to find out...just have had a maple engineered floor put down & it has held it's beauty so far.

Only in one room between living & family room & the dog drinks from the toilet constantly & drips water across it. I'm going to have the living room, hallway & two bedrooms done next.

CM

Love my Miele vacuum as well. It has been the best thing for sweeping the hardwood floors that I have.