When most people consider wood floors, they generally shop for oak and other hardwoods. What they don't know is that softwoods make excellent wood floors as well, and they're usually less expensive than hardwoods. In fact, softwoods like pine, fir, spruce or larch can not only cost less than hardwoods, but also less than carpet or vinyl flooring.

Softwood floors are relatively easy to install and the finished result looks great. They're less resistant to dents than hardwoods, but if you think a little evidence of living gives character to a floor and room, softwoods are a great choice.

If you prefer a smoother appearance, spruce is a harder wood than pine. Make sure to inspect spruce boards carefully before purchasing anything. Spruce is more prone to bowing and twisting, which make your job more difficult.

Materials
First, take careful measurements of the floor space, remembering any closets. It's always a good idea to round up, adding 5 percent to allow for scraps and defective planks.

When you're ready to buy the wood, check out the options at local sawmills. Boards from sawmills can cost half what they would at a lumberyard. Since softwoods aren't as commonly used for flooring, you'll need to specify the grade of the wood you're looking for. A good floor-grade pine is a standard 1-by-6, grade No. 1 or No. 2. There are many options for both the type of wood and the grade, so do some research to find the best fit for your home.

Installation
Installing the actual floor is pretty easy. Start with a solid subfloor (wood is best, though attaching the boards to concrete is sometimes an option), which reduces drafts, adds support and decreases sound. To further ensure a quiet floor, use flexible carpenter's glue as well as nails when laying the wood flooring. (Find additional tips and specific instructions in Steve Maxwell's article,