Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Pine Flooring

Hi, my sister has just bought unfinished pine wood flooring to install in her living room. She has since been told by a lot of people that pine damages easily because it's so soft. is this true? If so, is there any finish that can be put on the flooring to prevent damage? also, is this hard to install ourselves or is it better to get a professional? Thank you for your help

Bandit:

Yes, most pine floors are very soft and from my personal experience no type of finish will prevent damage or help the floor. On the plus side they've been used for hundreds of years and many still exist. Depending on the type of pine and where it's grown some are harder than others, but not significantly.

I'd be especially careful of high heels on these floors as you'll have many, many dings over a period of time. Pine provides a great rustic look with damage you can't control. I recall a job a few years back whearas the customer preferred the rustic look on new pine. Heck, we just threw nails, gravel etc over the newly laid floor, walked all over it, and then finished the floor. It looked great.

Thesedays it seems anything goes.

Hi, I was just e-mailed by Brandon that Ken Fisher had replied to my pine flooring question, but I can't see any reply posted on my e-mail or in the postings. Sorry, am I doing this wrong?