- 01 · Hardwood
- 02 · Unfinished
- 03 · Solid or engineered
- 04 · Species
- 05 · Grade & width
Unfinished hardwood
Solid or engineered?
Both are real hardwood on top. The difference is what is underneath — and that decides how the floor installs and where it can go.
Solid hardwood
Every board is one piece of wood, top to bottom.
- Nailed or stapled down
- Goes over a wood subfloor
- Prefers a steady indoor humidity
- Can be sanded and refinished many times
4 species
Engineered hardwood
A real hardwood top layer bonded to a stable plywood base.
- Stapled, glued or floated
- Goes over wood or concrete — basements and radiant heat included
- Handles humidity swings better than solid
- Real wood surface that can still be sanded
3 species
Quick rule of thumb
Basement, concrete slab or radiant heat? Go engineered. Wood subfloor above grade and you want a floor that can be sanded again and again? Solid is the classic choice. Read the full comparison.
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