Hardwood Floor

Several kinds of wood can be used for wood flooring, not all being hardwood, ranging in price per square foot. You should choose the best type of wood for your flooring based on desired color, cost, durability, feel, and texture.

Check out the cost of common wood types per square foot:

• Maple: $7–$11

• Pine: $5–$10

• Bamboo: $5–$11

• White ash: $9–$13 

• Hickory: $6–$13 

• Red oak: $8–$13 

• White oak: $8–$15 

• Brazilian walnut: $11–$20 

Yes, it is possible to replace just one plank in a hardwood floor. You may feel relieved to hear this, since hardwood floor costs are higher compared to other flooring types. You might have to do this if you have deep scratches on one board from moving furniture, or if you dropped something heavy and it left an unsightly dent. Other times, you may have cracked boards or buckling issues due to poor installation or moisture issues.

It’s possible to tackle the job of staining hardwood floors yourself, and this route may also save you some money. However, you should only DIY this project if you have the experience and confidence to do it right. If you’re refinishing, for example, you’ll want the results of your sanding to be pristine, especially since the stain will accentuate any flaws from sanding. If you’re unsure whether your work will be up to par, enlist the help of a local wood floor installer to ensure a gorgeous, flawless result.

Unfortunately, no, a wet wood floor that has shown signs of cupping, crowning, or warping will not go back to its original condition on its own, even after it dries completely. For minor movement or swelling, you can dry the area thoroughly with blower fans and then sand the floor back to level. For more severe damage, you’ll need to remove and replace the damaged boards and then refinish them to match the existing floor.