Pine flooring 101: Everything you need to know.

What is pine flooring?

Pine is one of the most popular wood flooring types, despite being a bit softer than most hardwood floors. Unlike other wood flooring options, pine is fast-growing, making it one of the most sustainable types of hardwood flooring. With a rustic, knotty appearance, pine floors offer a warm, organic look and feel. They also add rich character to classic homes and can bring warmth into a modern space.

Pine flooring's lower cost and versatility make it a great choice if you want a customized look on a budget. 

Pine flooring pros and cons. 

Before you install pine floors, make sure you understand the pros and cons when it comes to pine’s durability, appearance, maintenance, ease of installation and cost.

Durability.

Pine flooring is extremely durable and will last a lifetime if well-maintained. This type of flooring is prone to dents, dings and scratches. You’ll likely need to refinish it more often than other hardwood floor types. 

Appearance.

Pine wood flooring comes in a range of colors, from pale off-white or golden yellow to rich, deep browns and even reds. The pronounced grain and knots are full of character and give a warm, rustic look to a space.

But because it’s a softwood, pine flooring will darken over time. If you choose pine flooring, you should appreciate this look and anticipate it. 

Maintenance

The rich graining and knot patterns on pine flooring can hide dirt better than other, more uniform types of wood flooring. Fortunately, pine floors are easy to clean, requiring just dusting, sweeping or vacuuming and an occasional light mopping. 

Because pine flooring is on the softer side, it should be kept clean to prevent an accumulation of dust or debris from scratching or wearing the surface. Harsh chemicals can dull the finish, so using a gentle cleanser is your best bet. And remember that you can sand and refinish your flooring as needed.

Ease of installation.

It’s easier to install pine flooring than hardwood floors. Pine’s softness means it requires less sanding than hardwood floors require. 

Still, installing pine floors requires careful attention to detail and a handful of specialized tools. It’s usually a good idea to hire a professional to help get tricky angles, such as doorways, cut properly. 

Affordability.

Pine floors cost considerably less than other hardwood flooring options. The cost of pine flooring is similar to vinyl or laminate, but pine floors last longer and will likely add value to your home. 

But because they will need to be refinished more frequently to remain pristine, pine flooring can be more costly to maintain over time than other types of flooring. 

How much does pine flooring cost? 

Pine flooring is known for being a budget-friendly wood flooring option. Generally speaking, pine floors cost somewhere between $3 to $6 per square foot to install. This can vary greatly due to many factors, including the quality of the wood.

If you see a deal on pine flooring that looks too good to be true, it probably is. Very cheap pine flooring products might end up costing more to install or maintain if the quality is poor. 

How to clean pine floors. 

Pine floors give an attractive, classic, rustic and rich look. But to keep them looking their best, they need a little TLC: 

• Sweep or dust mop pine floors at least once a week.
• Give a once-over with a damp — not wet — mop. 
• Avoid scraping or scrubbing with harsh cleaners on the floor surface. 
• Clean spills up immediately to prevent staining and warping from moisture.
• Place rugs and runners in hallways and high-traffic areas to help to protect pine floors from premature wear. 
• Keep your pets’ nails trimmed. Dogs can do a real number on soft pine floors with their nails.
• Avoid wearing high heels when walking on pine floors.
• Make sure that the feet of chairs and other furniture are fitted with sliders, so they don't scrape or scuff floors when you move them. 

Related: How to clean and maintain your floors.

Pine flooring alternatives. 

There are plenty of reasons (rowdy kids, big dogs, etc.) why pine floors might not be a good fit for you. If you've read this far and realized that pine flooring isn't right for your home, no worries. There are several alternatives that offer a look and feel similar to pine. For example: 

• Hardwoods will hold up better to scratches and wear. Consider Douglas fir as another softwood that is slightly harder than Western and Eastern white pine. But it has a very comparable grain and color. 
• There are other softwoods you can consider, including cypress, cedar, hemlock or spruce.
• Laminate flooring is also an option. It’s better at resisting scratches, and you can find products that mimic pine. 
• Lastly, consider vinyl plank flooring. Like laminate, you can find vinyl plank flooring that looks like pine and is 100% waterproof.

For more pine wood alternatives, check out the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) gallery of wood species.

What to expect when installing pine floors.

Installing pine floors is a multi-step process similar to the installation of any hardwood tongue-and-groove flooring. Thorough preparation and consistent attention to detail will result in solid, beautiful flooring that doesn't creak. 

First, shop around to find the right pine for your project. Once you've found your perfect pine, calculate and purchase what you need. You should add 10% to 15% more than your actual square footage to make up for angles and waste. Also, let the planks sit inside your home for a minimum of 10 days (and up to two weeks) to acclimate to the moisture levels inside your house. This is an important step that will affect how the floor fits and how well it ages.

If you plan to take the DIY route, make sure you have all of the tools and equipment you’ll need. This includes a pry bar, saws, hammer, tape measure, nailer, stapler, drill bit, screws, penetrating oil and more.

The first steps when installing pine flooring involve removing existing flooring, whether it’s carpet, tile or some other type of floor covering. You’ll also need to pry away baseboards and trim. Undercut door jambs to make space for the new flooring. Walk around the floors to identify any creaky areas, and screw down the subfloor securely to eliminate them. You need to also make sure your subfloor isn’t damaged. If it is, you’ll need to fix it before installing your new flooring. 

After all the flooring is installed, you may need to do light sanding and buffing on the floor’s surface. This will need to be thoroughly cleaned before your finishing coat of oil or polyurethane. 

DIY vs. hiring a pro to install pine floors.

It can be very tempting to save money by installing pine floors yourself. If you’re skilled and confident with tools, then DIY might be the way to go. But before you get yourself in too deep, consider your options. 

The primary benefit of installing a pine floor yourself is cost savings. For folks who are extremely picky about aesthetics, installing the flooring yourself will allow you to control the placement of each board as it goes in. 

And if you dislike having people in your home, you can certainly avoid that with a DIY installation. In cases where you don't have serious time constraints or you aren't living in the home where the floors need to be installed, then a DIY project might make sense. 

However, installing a pine floor takes a lot of precise measuring and cutting, as well as careful preparation and cleanup. If you're living in the home where you’re installing a new pine floor, you'll want to get it done as quickly as possible. DIY installation can take longer than you expect, inconveniencing your family for a long minute. And if you aren't careful, you can end up wasting a lot of material or having to go back and fix mistakes — which will cost you more time and money. 

Find professionals on Thumbtack.

Pine floors add warmth and charm to any room, but the installation process can be daunting. If you want to enjoy the benefits of pine flooring in your home but don't want to deal with the hassle of putting them in yourself, you'll want to hire a qualified professional. A flooring professional near you can take care of every detail of your pine flooring project, from selecting the right wood and removing all the old flooring to cleaning up after installation.