Hardwood Flooring 101: A Surface Above the Rest

by Sweeten September 26, 2024

Hardwood floors are a classic choice, but navigating the selection process can be tricky. From the vast array of wood species to finish options and installation considerations, making informed decisions is crucial. This guide will break down the key factors to consider when choosing hardwood flooring, ensuring you find a material that offers both stunning aesthetics and long-lasting durability.

The lowdown on wood flooring options—solid, engineered, reclaimed—and how to choose

(Above) Rima installed mid-sized plank engineered wood with a matte finish throughout her home.

Of all the surface options available for the home, hardwood flooring remains the one with the most cachet and value. After all, it’s warm in appearance, easy underfoot (especially compared to tile or stone), versatile in application thanks to the range of wood species and finishes available, and innately luxurious. From solid to engineered to salvaged, you’re likely to find an option that suits your home’s style as well as your lifestyle.

Wood flooring prices can vary greatly, depending on where the flooring was manufactured, how it was made, how it was finished, and who’s installing it. Base your decision on where the floor will go, and what type of activity those rooms will see. Flooring is an investment—of resources and the time it takes to install it. Make the right choice, and you will enjoy your wood floor for probably as long as you want it.

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Consider your lifestyle

First, examine what the room or room(s) will be used for, how much traffic they will experience, and what kind. Wood can be enjoyed throughout most homes, with a few precautions:

Will there be pets scratching it with their nails? High heels from frequent entertaining? Toys from energetic little ones?
Do you expect grit consistently tracked from the front door or backyard?
Does the room get loads of sunlight that could fade the surface in some areas?
Is there the possibility of accidental yet prolonged exposure to water, next to a dishwasher or by a bathtub, which could cause the floor to swell?

Modern hardwood flooring often features highly durable polyurethane coatings that are designed to withstand light to moderate wear. However, regular maintenance, such as sweeping, mopping, and applying protective finishes, is essential to preserve the floor’s beauty and longevity.

Engineered hardwood, which consists of a wood veneer bonded to a composite core, offers a more affordable alternative to solid hardwood while providing similar aesthetics. Engineered hardwood can often be installed in areas with moderate humidity, such as basements or bathrooms, due to its increased stability. However, it’s important to consult with a flooring professional to determine the best type of engineered hardwood for your specific environment.

(Above) Throughout Tom and Alex’s apartment, engineered wood replaced old parquet floors.

Customize the look

The beauty of hardwood flooring lies in its versatility. Each wood species offers its own unique grain pattern and color, allowing you to create a personalized aesthetic. Beyond traditional stains and finishes, modern options include colored washes, distressed textures (like wire-brushed or scraped), and even engineered planks with dramatic visual effects. These treatments can not only enhance the character of your floor but also help to disguise minor wear over time.

In addition to appearance, consider the dimensions of the planks. Wider planks can create a more spacious and rustic feel, while narrower planks offer a classic and traditional look. The number of seams can also impact the overall appearance and maintenance requirements.

The hardness of the wood is another important factor. If your flooring will experience heavy foot traffic, opt for a harder species like oak, maple, or hickory. The Janka hardness test measures the resistance of wood to dents and wear, helping you select the appropriate species for your lifestyle.

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Finally, the finish plays a significant role in the overall style and durability of your hardwood flooring. High-gloss finishes create a polished and reflective look, while medium-gloss and low-gloss finishes offer a more subdued and natural appearance. The finish should include aluminum oxide to protect the floor from scratches and wear caused by daily use.

Click-lock versus tongue-and-groove

Edge treatments vary widely to give you plenty of options to achieve the look you want, from square to beveled to scraped to pillowed. Wood floors connect one edge to another by means of two methods:

Like the term implies, click-lock boards click into place to provide an almost seamless appearance, except for the grain of the wood. Found in engineered wood flooring, these require no adhesive and so the installation tends to go faster.
The tongue-and-groove method fits together using a thin piece on one long side that fits into the grooved indenture on the adjoining board’s side. Planks are further secured when nailed, glued, or laid in a floating installation.

(Above) Dark walnut hardwood flooring in Jonathan and Cecilia’s home adds richness and a sense of depth to their space.

Get real with solid hardwood

Solid hardwood comes either factory-finished or can be finished on site. Factory-finished flooring arrives needing only to be installed, making it clean and quick to lay down. This method eliminates or reduces the following:

The curing that site-finished wood requires (which can take up to two months as the wood adjusts to your home’s climate)
Dust from sanding
Chemical fumes from the finish
Length of time from start of installation to complete drying of finish
Length of time to final use of room

The finish is also cured under UV lights at the factory, a process that can’t happen on site, so the factory-finish is likely tougher than the one applied on site. This floor should also include a warranty from the manufacturer instead of the installer. The main benefit of having a site-finished floor is if you desire total control over the final look.

Factory-finished floors typically arrive already topped with several layers of a water- or oil-based polyurethane coating that incorporates aluminum oxide to protect the wood from scratches and fading due to sunlight. A clear top coat provides the glossy or satin appearance. This floor can be refinished several times until the multilayer coating is completely removed, which then means reapplying the finish or, in extreme situations, replacing the plank. If your floor is finished on site, discuss with the installer what type of finish he recommends, and if it includes aluminum oxide.

Caution: Solid wood is a natural material, making it vulnerable to swings in temperature and humidity. Because it will expand and contract, it must be fastened to a subfloor but not concrete, so it can’t go below-grade or in damp areas like a basement or a bath that gets lots of steam.

(Above) Engineered wood finished with a natural veneer pairs well with exposed brick in Miguel’s bedroom.

Fool the eye with engineered wood

If it looks like it’s real wood, that’s because it is—a veneer of real wood atop a structural base, typically plywood. The base gives it added stability so it can go in a bath or a basement, as well as over radiant heating elements. It requires fewer trees than solid hardwood, but the base includes glues that bind the plywood and the veneer. This option is easy to install as a floating floor or it can be secured with staples or glue.

Expect to find all the classic species of woods and stains in this engineered wood category, as well as some fun fashion colors like a gray wash. You’ll discover a range of quality, too, so when shopping, investigate the thickness of the veneer, the number of protective coatings, and the number of ply in the base, which can range from three to seven and up.

Refinishing engineered wood is far more limited than solid wood—as little as once, depending on the thickness of the veneer. Buy an extra box in the event you need to replace a plank, so you don’t have to worry about matching. Ask about warranties for both the finish and veneer delamination.

Go authentic with reclaimed wood

Probably the most environmentally-friendly choice, reclaimed wood that is salvaged from old buildings requires no cutting of trees. Its unique appeal comes from its original sourcing, which may be domestic woods that are now rare or unavailable for residential use. Like a vintage wine, reclaimed wood also shows a character that can’t be reproduced today, even from advanced manufacturing techniques.

This wood is typically sourced from old factories, deconstructed homes, old decking or piers, but it still has to be treated to go into its new home. It may be warped or cracked in areas, and so require some milling before it’s ready for installation. Make sure the wood is kiln-dried after milling, as this will aid its stability and also eliminate the possibility of critters, such as termites.

This category can be found from a few national dealers, like Mountain Lumber, or locally by doing a search online, but if you shop from an independent dealer, make sure he or she guarantees the product.

Consider maintenance and repair

The biggest enemy of your wood floor is nearly invisible grit tracked in on shoes. Place area rugs or mats at entry points to catch dirt. Try to sweep or vacuum daily, clean monthly with a wood floor cleaner recommended by the manufacturer, so you can enjoy your floor for a lifetime.