Hardwood flooring

Hardwood floors, laid straight and left to last

Solid or engineered, plank or herringbone — hardwood rewards careful prep and a layout that runs true through the house.

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Close-up of a mitred grey stone countertop corner over pale oak flooring

Solid or engineered?

Solid hardwood is one piece of wood and can be sanded and refinished several times. Engineered hardwood has a real wood wear layer on a cross-layered core, which moves less with seasonal humidity and suits wider planks, some basements and installs over in-floor heat.

Either way, wood needs the right moisture conditions, time to acclimate and an expansion gap at the walls.

Choices that change the look

Plank width: Wider planks feel modern and calm, and need a flatter subfloor.
Direction: Usually parallel to the longest wall or the main sight line from the entry.
Pattern: Herringbone and chevron take more time and material but make a strong statement.
Finish: Matte finishes hide scratches better than gloss.

Comparing flooring materials

A quick guide to how the common options behave. The right answer depends on the room, the subfloor and how you live.

Comparing flooring materials
Material	Water tolerance	Feel underfoot	Best rooms	Worth knowing
Hardwood	Low	Warm, solid, natural	Living, dining, bedrooms	Can be refinished. Not for bathrooms or damp basements.
Engineered hardwood	Low–moderate	Like hardwood	Main floors, some basements	Real wood top layer on a stable core; handles seasonal change better.
Luxury vinyl plank	High	Softer, quieter	Basements, kitchens, whole-home	Water-resistant and forgiving. Quality varies a lot by product.
Laminate	Moderate	Firm	Bedrooms, living areas	Durable surface, good value. Standing water is its weak point.
Porcelain tile	Very high	Hard, cool unless heated	Bathrooms, entries, kitchens, basements	Nearly indestructible; pairs well with in-floor heat.