Prime Time looks at one of the best ways to update a room and add a timeless appeal. Simply take up the carpet and install a wood floor

A WOOD floor can make a room seem bigger, lighter and more impressive - all factors that give a house character and, according to estate agents, make it more saleable. The choice, however, is bewildering.

There are different timbers, in different grades, colours and patterns. There are also different types of floor construction and finishes. And not every floor is suitable for every room. We have taken some tips from the Wood Floor Advisory Service on getting it right.

A short list of woods to consider might include ash, bamboo, beech, cherry, larch, maple, merbau, oak, pear, sipo mahogany, walnut and wenge. This gives a good spread of floor colours from the palest blonde (maple), through to reds like cherry, and the almost black wenge.

For floor construction the choice is between solid floors, which are timber through and through, and engineered floors, which have a top layer of hardwood mounted on cross laid softwood or on plywood. Both are available in planks, strips, or patterns.

There are also laminated floors, which are effectively photographs of wood grain on plastic, mounted on MDF. Confusingly, an engineered floor can be called a laminate sometimes because it has a layered construction.

If it is real wood you are after then most suppliers recognise three grades of wood. These relate to the floor's visual appearance only and not to quality.

Select, the highest grade, is knot-free and has a uniform colour and texture. These floors command the highest prices. The cheapest grade is rustic. Its small knots and colour variations can make for a floor full of character.

When it comes to finishes there are now three to choose from. Most wood floors have a lacquer varnish which gives the floor a brilliant gloss. It is smooth, hard-wearing and easy to clean. Oiled and oiled-and-waxed floors, which are new in the UK, provide a subtle sheen.

Choosing the right wood flooring for the room is important. For areas that gets a lot of wear, choose a hardwood. Wood floors aren't a good idea for a bathroom.

A solid wood floor will last a lifetime but correct fitting is crucial. Ninety per cent of all problems with wood floors arise from poor fitting.

The Wood Floor Advisory Service is a free source of information and can be contacted on 0800 0858 325.