Industrial News

Installing hardwood floors has been shown to increase the value of homes and can help them sell faster. The National Wood Flooring Association reports that in a recent national survey, 90 percent of real estate agents said that houses with hardwood floors influence a home's marketability. Fifty-eight percent of agents surveyed agreed that homes with wood floors sell for up to 10 percent more than homes without wood floors. Further, 46 percent agreed that homes with wood floors sell faster than homes without.

On average, installing a hardwood floor costs between $9-12 per square foot, though prices can vary more depending on the type of wood. As a result, improperly installed hardwood floors or poor care can end up costing homeowners thousands of dollars. RenovatorsPlace.com spokesperson Leigha Adamson recommends that homeowners do their research before installing a floor, "Choose a flooring contractor whose work you've personally seen and who is willing to work with the design you have in mind. There are a lot of creative options for wood floors when in comes to different types of wood, stains, installation patterns and decorative finishes."

RenovatorsPlace.com offers articles on the benefits of hardwood floors, how to care for wood floors and answers to common flooring questions. In "Selecting the Type of Wood for Your Floor," (http://www.renovatorsplace.com/dsp_articles.cfm?l_article_id=28&l_cat_id=55&catid=18) columnist and home renovation expert Allison Beatty outlines several advantages of wood floors for homeowners who want to stay in their homes rather than sell:
* Warmth: wood creates a warm, natural feeling
* Character: wood floors evoke the nostalgia of older homes
* Design: wood flooring can blend or contrast with wood furniture and cabinets

RenovatorsPlace.com is an online home improvement resource that provides tips, articles and local contractor directories. It features interviews with homeowners and photos of their real remodeling experiences.