On Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:23:09 -0600, Gordon Shumway
wrote:

It's time to replace our carpeting again and I was thinking about the
possibility of installing hardwood flooring instead for all or part of
it. This would be the living room, dining room, hallway and bedrooms
only. The kitchen, bathrooms and entrance are tiled.

My wife said something about hardwood may be harder on older people
than carpeting, we're in our mid 60's, but I don't know about that.

Does anyone have any experience or preferences that may help me decide
which way to go?

I presently have all tile and enjoy it with area rugs in a slab
foundation home.

Some things to consider is pets, color, etc.

Large dogs can leave nail marks and scratches in wood. Water damage is
a problem with wood, say a flooded hallway next to a bathroom. Easy
cleaning for wood.

Carpets really are nasty over time. Never again after all the years of
having carpet.

I'd suggest you get some samples of wood and carpet from a store and
take them home. Scatter them around various rooms and see which you
prefer. (hallway and bedrooms look good using wood.

Start with light to medium colored samples. I've seen "black" hardwood
flooring that looked awful to me and you can see the dust easier.