To maintain a hardwood floor, there are a few preliminary steps to be taken to ensure that the process goes on uninterrupted. First the owner should choose the type of hardwood to use; this is influenced by the pattern, species of wood, finish, structure and design of parquet, panels or floor planks.

If you are deciding the pattern to use, you should consider the direction of the sub-floor joists. This is important because, the wood flooring should be installed in the opposite direction to that of the joists. Also a decorative pattern can also be considered as a border or in the centre of a room.

You should also consider the thickness and width of the wood being used. This goes into tandem with the size of the room being sanded.

The species of wood determines the colour and the grade of the wood. Cost is also a major consideration in determining the species of wood to use. The Oak wood is the most popular species of wood used in flooring. This is due to its lower cost and durability as compared to the other species.

Cheaper woods such as pine and bamboo, may not be durable enough in some areas, whereas harder woods such as maple and cherry are more durable, but also significantly more expensive.

The type of wood to be picked can also be determined by the desired pattern. This is because different grades of woods can be combined to develop patterns in alternating plans throughout a room. Medallions or inlays can be used near focal points in a room, or a whole room may even be done diagonally for a more dramatic look.