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While many hardwood floors can last decades with proper maintenance, choosing a harder wood type, like hickory, can help extend the life span of your hardwood floors and reduce the amount of maintenance needed to keep them looking new and shiny. Softer hardwoods, like walnut, may not last quite as long as other types.

There are a few different types of finishes to choose from for the final step of the project. 

Water-based polyurethane sealants emit fewer odors and fumes but dry quickly, which can pose a challenge when trying to get a smooth coat. Oil-based polyurethane sealants let out more odors and fumes into the air (it’s especially important to wear a respirator if you choose this type), but they take longer to dry, which can be more forgiving during the finishing step. 

Some may prefer wood oil to polyurethane because rather than creating a layer, it becomes part of the wood. Wood oil takes longer to dry, and is less resistant to wear and tear; however, it creates a natural-looking result by enhancing the grain of the wood. 

The best flooring materials for a mudroom are porcelain and ceramic tiles. Both are easy to clean and maintain, and they're also water-resistant and highly durable. If you're not a fan of those types, you can also choose another nonporous flooring for your mudroom, such as stone or sealed concrete. Stay away from linoleum, cork, hardwood, and engineered wood, as water and moisture in your mudroom will damage these quickly.

The most affordable kitchen flooring option is sheet vinyl due to its low material and installation costs, followed by laminate flooring and vinyl planks. Be sure to get quotes from flooring companies in your area for exact estimates for your kitchen floor. If you let them know that you’re looking for kitchen floor ideas on a budget, they can suggest products and materials within your price range.