Hardwood flooring without the fuss
By Cheryl Grant

Eighteen years ago when we bought our final nesting home, broadloom was all the rage. Now, after raising four kids, multiple unhousebroken pets and running after two little grandchildren, our gorgeous broadloom was looking tired.

My husband and I agreed it was time to redecorate, but we couldn't agree on the choice for new flooring. I had dreamed of hardwood flooring, but to him wood was high maintenance. I must admit, after he told me how his mom invested hours every Saturday just to keep her hardwood shining, I was concerned.

After a quick Internet research, we realized not all wood floors are created equal. Instead of installing conventional hardwood planks of the past we discovered a smarter alternative in an engineered hardwood floor.

Engineered hardwood flooring is specifically designed to stay beautiful without the worry. Here's how it works - a top layer of hardwood is fused onto a stable core layer, this layer stabilizes the wood and prevents a reaction to changes in temperature or humidity. As an added bonus because the construction of engineered floors requires less wood, they're much better for the environment.

We selected a wire brush finished oak with a matte gloss to disguise most scratches and dents (see www.torlys.com Summit Oak Chateau). The floor has a soft texture and the lower gloss doesn't highlight imperfections or dust - even in the deep brown stain we selected.

My husband's now a true wood floor convert. The installers began work in the morning and we were able to move back into the rooms that night. Quick and easy.

We're truly living on our hardwood floors and they're standing up to the everyday challenge of a very busy family complete with pets, entertaining, and even our grandson's recent test run with his new bike. My beautiful hardwood floors look beautiful.

- News Canada