Types of Hardwood Flooring: Wood Species and Construction Options

Hardwood flooring comes in a variety of wood species and construction types, each offering unique beauty and durability. From classic oak to exotic teak, and solid to engineered options, choosing the right hardwood can enhance your home’s style and functionality. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of hardwood flooring to help you find the perfect fit for your space!

Did you know that hardwood flooring attracts an average ROI of 70-80%? This is far above that for other flooring options, such as carpet or vinyl.

Besides netting an attractive ROI, wood flooring is also insulating, attractive, timeless, and long-lasting. All of these features make them a very popular option for homeowners in the US, with 66% naming wood as their dream home floor choice.

However, before you hit go on your new flooring installation there’s another choice you need to make. And that is what type of hardwood flooring you want.

There are three main types of wood floors on the market today. These are unfinished solid wood, prefinished solid wood, and engineered wood. Each of these options has its own list of pros and cons.

If you’re not sure which are the best hardwood floors for your needs, continue reading as we share everything you need to know about the different types of wood flooring below.

Choice 1: Construction (Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood)

Your first and most important decision is construction. This choice dictates where you can install your floor and how it will handle moisture and humidity.

What is Solid Hardwood?

Just as the name implies, this is a solid piece of wood from top to bottom. It's the traditional, timeless option that has been used for centuries.

• Pros: Can be sanded and refinished many times, potentially lasting 100+ years. It's a single, solid piece of premium wood.
• Cons: Highly susceptible to humidity and temperature changes. It will "cup" (curl) or "gap" (shrink) if moisture levels fluctuate. It cannot be installed in basements or on concrete.

What is Engineered Hardwood?

This is the modern, versatile choice. Engineered planks have a solid wood top layer (or "veneer") of real hardwood, but the core consists of multiple layers of plywood stacked on top of each other to improve stability or high-density fiberboard (HDF).

• Pros: The layered core makes it incredibly stable, a solid wood core will tend to warp easier since moisture can travel through any part of the hardwood plank. This layered approach resists changes in humidity and temperature, making it a "go-anywhere" floor. It can be installed in basements and on concrete slabs.
• Cons: Can only be refinished once or twice (or not at all, if the top layer is too thin). Lots of Chinese manufacturers make this type of hardwood because its cheaper to make, making the cheaper non-USA made a risky purchase.

Quick-Reference: Solid vs. Engineered

Alternatives to Hardwood Flooring

Are you still not 100% sold on the idea of hardwood flooring, but love the aesthetic of wood? Here are a couple of other options you can also keep in mind that aren’t wood, but do a great job of mimicking it.

Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

Luxury vinyl plank flooring is a great alternative to real hardwood if you’re on a tight budget. Coming in slightly cheaper than engineered hardwood, and quite a bit more affordable than solid wood, vinyl planks are also easy to install. At ReallyCheapFloors.com we usually have first quality 12 mil LVPs for under $1.50 per square foot.

This is ideal if you’re doing a DIY installation. If you’re getting a contractor in, and easy installation will cut down on labor costs.

Want to compare vinyl planks against engineered hardwood flooring? Check out this comparison guide.

Vinyl Wood-Look Tiles

Faux wood tiles are another alternative that can give you the look of wood. Although they won’t fool the eye (or the foot) completely, they can be a fun option to think about.

Take note, however, that faux wood tiles are somewhat of a fad trend, and don’t offer the timeless appeal of wood.

We Stock The Most Popular Types of Hardwood Flooring In 2025

Installing new floors is a big move. As a smart homeowner, you need to be aware of all the different options before you begin the upgrade to new hardwood flooring in your space.

Now that you’re clued up on the pros and cons of the different types of hardwood options the flooring industry has to offer, it’s time to start shopping around.

Need a good price? Under a tight budget?

We can help. Here at ReallyCheapFloors.com, our core mission is delivering the best value to our customers at the best prices on flooring you will find anywhere.

Our innovative supply process allows us to stock various different hardwood flooring options at the lowest prices in the flooring industry.

Be a smart homeowner. Don’t spend more than you need to. Instead, check out our online selection of hardwood flooring.

Choice 3: Finish (Prefinished vs. Site-Finished)

Finally, how will your floor be finished? You can either buy it raw and unfinished or already finished from the factory.

• Prefinished: 90% of floors sold today are prefinished. The planks are stained and sealed in a factory with multiple coats of a ultra-durable, aluminum-oxide-infused polyurethane. This finish is much stronger than anything you can apply in your home. Installation is fast and dust-free.
• Site-Finished (Unfinished): You install raw, unfinished wood and then hire a professional to sand, stain, and seal it in your home. This is messy, expensive, and time-consuming, but it offers one key benefit: a perfectly customized color and a seamless, flat finish from wall to wall.

Love the Look But Not the Wood? (Hardwood Alternatives)

If you love the aesthetic of wood but need something 100% waterproof or more budget-friendly, here are your best options.

• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): This is the top alternative to hardwood. LVP is 100% waterproof, highly scratch-resistant, and incredibly realistic. Its click-lock installation makes it a perfect DIY-friendly choice for basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.
• Wood-Look Tile: Porcelain tile that is printed to look like wood is another waterproof option. It's extremely durable but is also cold, hard underfoot, and a very difficult installation.

Conclusion: How to Choose the Right Floor

Choosing the right hardwood floor is a process of narrowing down your options. Start with the big three choices:

1. Construction: Do you need the stability of Engineered for a basement or concrete slab, or do you want the traditional, long-lasting Solid wood?
2. Species: Do you prefer the trendy, neutral look of White Oak, the classic feel of Red Oak, the rustic character of Hickory, or the clean look of Maple?
3. Finish: Do you want the convenience and durability of a Prefinished floor, or the custom look of a Site-Finished floor?

By answering these questions first, you can confidently shop for a floor that not only looks beautiful but is a perfect functional fit for your home and budget.