Species options are likely the most important, as harder species are required for busy households. If you have large numbers of guests or have children or pets in the home, the harder the species, the more durable your flooring. Oak is an excellent selection for these types of spaces, but there are plenty more to choose from, for exciting visual options.
Choosing a stain color is also an exciting time for homeowners, as this is a perfect way to match existing décor. It’s important to note that site finished materials offer more color options for staining than prefinished materials. If you ever grow tired of the stain color, you can always change it during the refinishing process.
Remember that in addition to solid wood, you can also choose engineered hardwood and still maintain excellent continuity of appearance. This material features a real wood veneer between layers of plywood on the bottom and a protective wear layer on the top. You'll get plenty of other benefits with this material while remaining in the same flooring product line.