Solid Hardwood Flooring

Why Choose Solid Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood flooring is ¾ inch of real wood through and through. It's the most traditional and longest-lasting wood flooring option - with proper care, solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished up to 10 times over a lifespan exceeding 100 years.

Construction and Thickness

Each plank is a single piece of kiln-dried hardwood, typically ¾ inch (19 mm) thick and available in widths from 2¼ inches to 7 inches or wider. The solid construction means the entire plank is usable wood - you can sand deep scratches, change stain colors, and refinish the surface multiple times throughout the floor's life.

Best Installation Methods

Solid hardwood is typically installed by nail-down or staple-down methods over a plywood subfloor. It should be installed on or above grade - not in basements - because solid wood expands and contracts with humidity changes. Allow planks to acclimate to your home's environment for several days before installation.

Popular Species

White oak is the most popular species for solid hardwood, offering excellent hardness and natural water resistance from its closed grain structure. Maple provides a light, clean look with a smooth, uniform grain. Hickory delivers maximum durability with dramatic grain variation. Exotic species like acacia and mahogany offer distinctive colors and patterns.

Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood

Solid hardwood's key advantage is refinishability - you can change the look of your floors entirely by sanding and restaining. Engineered hardwood has the edge in dimensional stability, making it better for basements, concrete slabs, and radiant heat systems. Both are real wood and look identical once installed.

Colors and Finishes

Solid hardwood comes in every color from natural blonde to deep espresso. Browse brown hardwood for classic warmth, gray hardwood for modern interiors, or explore our hardwood color guide. Pre-finished solid hardwood offers factory-applied UV-cured finishes that are harder and more consistent than site-applied finishes.

Can solid hardwood be installed in a basement?

Solid hardwood is not recommended for basement installation. Basements are below grade and typically have higher humidity levels, which cause solid wood to expand, cup, and buckle. For below-grade installations, engineered hardwood is the better choice - its layered construction resists moisture-related movement.

How many times can solid hardwood be refinished?

A standard ¾-inch solid hardwood floor can be sanded and refinished 6 to 10 times, depending on how aggressively it's sanded each time. Each refinishing removes approximately 1/32 inch of wood. This gives solid hardwood a functional lifespan of 100 years or more with periodic refinishing.

Is solid hardwood more expensive than engineered?

Solid hardwood and engineered hardwood overlap significantly in price. Entry-level solid hardwood can be comparable to mid-range engineered products. Premium engineered hardwood with thick wear layers can match or exceed solid hardwood prices. The overall project cost also depends on installation - solid hardwood requires a plywood subfloor, while engineered can float or glue over concrete.