Hardwood Flooring

Our hardwood collection includes solid hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring in a range of species, widths, and finishes. Solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood throughout and can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifetime. Engineered hardwood has a real wood veneer surface layer bonded to a plywood or HDF core, making it more dimensionally stable and suitable for a wider range of installation environments including basements and over radiant heat.

Solid hardwood is a single piece of real wood from top to bottom - typically 3/4" thick. It is the most traditional hardwood option and can be refinished many times, giving it a potential lifespan of 50-100 years with proper care. However, it is sensitive to moisture and humidity fluctuations and cannot be installed below grade or directly over radiant heat. Engineered hardwood has a real wood surface layer (typically 2-6mm thick) over a stable plywood core. It handles humidity changes better, can be installed at or below grade, and is compatible with radiant heat - but can typically only be refinished 1-3 times depending on the veneer thickness.

Solid hardwood is generally not recommended for kitchens due to the risk of water exposure from spills, appliances, and mopping. Engineered hardwood is a more practical choice for kitchens - its more stable core handles minor moisture exposure better than solid hardwood, though it is still not waterproof and significant water exposure should be avoided. For kitchens where wood aesthetics are desired but waterproofing is a priority, wood look porcelain tile or wood look LVP are more practical alternatives.

Hardness in wood flooring is measured by the Janka hardness rating - the higher the number, the harder and more durable the wood. Among common domestic species, hickory is the hardest, followed by hard maple, white oak, and red oak. White oak is currently the most popular hardwood species in interior design due to its versatile grain pattern and its ability to take a wide range of stain tones beautifully. For maximum durability, choose a harder species with a factory-applied aluminum oxide finish, which is far more durable than site-applied finishes.

Sweep or vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment to remove grit that can scratch the surface. Clean with a hardwood-specific cleaner - never use water alone, steam mops, or general household cleaners, as excess moisture is the main enemy of hardwood. Use felt pads under all furniture legs. Maintain indoor relative humidity between 35-55% to prevent excessive seasonal expansion and contraction. Solid hardwood can be refinished when the surface shows significant wear - this typically involves sanding back the surface and applying new finish coats.