Hardwood flooring comes in two main forms: solid hardwood, milled from a single piece of wood top to bottom, and engineered hardwood, which pairs a real hardwood wear layer with a plywood or composite core for added dimensional stability. Engineered hardwood generally handles Michigan’s seasonal humidity swings better than solid hardwood, since the layered core resists expansion and contraction more effectively.

Hardness varies significantly by species — measured on the Janka hardness scale — which matters for households with pets or heavy foot traffic. Oak and hickory are common choices for their durability, while softer species like pine show wear more readily. Whatever species you choose, solid hardwood is one of the most durable flooring materials available and consistently adds resale value — it’s the material buyers expect to see in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms throughout Oakland County.

Hardwood is not generally recommended for basements or other below-grade, moisture-prone spaces — for those rooms, engineered hardwood tolerates humidity somewhat better than solid, but a fully waterproof material like LVP is usually the safer choice.

Frequently Asked Questions