We have unstained, wide plank, rustic, white oak floors. If you choose a light wood like white oak and stain it dark every scratch will show. Being unstained-scratches are hardly noticeable. I'm sure people are getting tired of my comparison but it's like scratching red nail polish vs clear. For general cleaning we just use water with a tsp of vinegar (helps dry it faster). We use a special twist mop that really takes every possible drop of water off the mop. About once ever 3 months we use a "natural wood" cleaner called Woca. I'm not trying to sell that brand, it's just what we were told to use by the manufacturer. Whatever you do, make sure you use only what is recommended for your individual floor by your floor manufacturer. Our distributor used another cleaner brand on the exact floor we have which they've displayed in their showroom. I saw it 2 weeks ago and the new cleaner turned their floor a hideous GRAY!!! And I mean really...really GRAY!!! They're keeping it that way to show people what can happen. Our Floor.....

Does anyone have a photo of a dark oak floor with golden oak cabinets?

We got a kick out of Tim's post (above). Call me immature --- I'm the daughter and sister of interior designers/textile weavers and they are knocked out by my glossy floors. I initially had some doubts but now I'm so glad we went with the high gloss. The light in the room is amazing with the glossy reflection of the honey oak floors. We have gotten no less than 3 requests for the name of our floor contractor because they look so gorgeous. Most people don't know why they look different --- it's because high gloss is not trendy and hasn't been for some time. Most people go with the matte or satin finish. I had concerns about the glossy floors showing dirt but it's the opposite. My floors were less glossy before we had them refinished and there really is no difference. We are still in the middle of our remodel and have had workers coming and going --- the floors are frankly filthy but you wouldn't know it until you drag a wet rag across the floor. This might be a problem with darker floors but not with the oak. I also think the high gloss has an elegant, more formal look while the matte finish is more casual/earthy. To each her or his own!

I'm not sure what LVT is. :) I have an appointment with the flooring person for Saturday to test out samples. Cherie, we hate forced hot air because it bothers my and the kids' asthma and allergies so I am actually very happy about these baseboard radiators as radiant heat is much easier on the lungs since it's not blowing hot air all over the place. There is central air for the summer months. We live in Northern NH... it gets cold here for sure. I am going to keep the tile in the kitchen for now and the rest will be new flooring *all going in the same direction* ! We are ripping out the red carpeting, which is in all four bedrooms as well as on the stairs. We want to replace that with flooring and we don't want yet another type of flooring in the house so it makes sense to do the living and dining room as well. When we reconfigure the kitchen, we'll have to match it up and remove the tile at that time.