Hi,

I'm planning to add new hardwood floors to the kitchen and dining area. My budget to buy the wood only is $4.00 per sqft... Can you please suggest a good choice? I'm looking for a wood color not too dark but dark enough... It needs to have decent amount of grain and look very "woody".. Also, I'm looking at engineering hardwood. I'm not a big fan of maple since it is hard to re-finish... It would be nice to have wood that would be relatively easy to refinish.. I was looking at bamboo, oak and birch but I'm not even sure if these are the right options for me.. Please recommend me some options because I'm confused on the options/choices!

Thanks!

Forgot to emphasize that I'm planning to remodel my kitchen in future.. therefore, should I take that into consideration when doing the hardwood floors in the kitchen? which approach is better - new hardwood first, then kitchen remodeling or vice versa? Please advise.

Thanks!

Oak would be your most logical and practical choice..it is the most versatile and used in many different variants and techniques.

the floor should become part of the remodel.

Not sure what you are going to do for 4.00 a foot for a decent prefinish unless you got guys offering you their buy cost ..even then you will have to up the ante
some.

If you like oak it is the logical choice. I dislike oak I am more of a fan of Acacia.
However $4 is light for a quality prefinished.
Remember you get what you pay for.

I was looking at these two websites, most of the wood here is around the $4 range and I took a look in person, the quality seems reasonably good:

http://www.factorydirectfloorstore.com/
http://www.clickonfloors.com/

I might lean towards Oak but I'm also liking the Brazilian cherry.

Thanks!