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If plank flooring is a consideration for your home, you should know that there are many options in brand, finish and price. Much of what you will pay depends upon where you purchase the product. Regardless of cost, there are many benefits of choosing this option.

If you are not a professional in wood working or simply do not have days to sand and finish the surfaces yourself, this is an option that eliminated much of the work. Most products come pre-finished in the desired stain or lacquer.
They are often referred to as engineered products. This provides the additional advantage of being able to walk on them as soon as they are installed. This may be a better option for homes with small children or pets.

For those who enjoy wood working and have plenty of experience, bare options are also available. Quality oak flooring can be sanded and finished on the same day. The benefit of this over engineered products is that each piece is unique in pattern and will provide a more natural look, when the plank flooring is stained or finished. The down side is that you will need to provide plenty of ventilation for staining and finishing and several days for the drying process.

Another alternative to traditional wood products is vinyl plank flooring. It is often laminated or coated with polyurethane as well. It is a great option for rooms that require a more waterproof surface, such as bathrooms or kitchens. It can cost half the price of wood products, such as oak flooring. However, it is easily installed and can look just like real wood products, in various grains and dark or light finishes. It often comes as a locking system, so each board or piece locks into the next, for ease of installation.