Invest in floor protectors for the legs of your furniture before company arrives so your floor is not scraped as chairs and other furniture is moved around.
During cooler weather your hardwood flooring will contract. You may see gaps between the planks, but this is normal and will correct itself once the humidity of spring arrives. To minimize the separation between planks during the fall and winter, keep a humidifier at 40-60 percent.
If you desire the look of hardwood flooring, but worry about the wear and tear children or pets will cause to it, choose a handscraped option that will hide scatches, imperfections, pet hair and dirt.