How to choose the right wood floor for your home

Solid vs engineered, oak vs walnut, oiled vs lacquered — a practical guide to picking a floor you will love for decades.

Wood is a living material — every plank has its own grain, knots and tone. The way it is sawn, dried and finished determines not only its appearance but also how it will behave under foot or on a wall for the next several decades. That is why we believe small choices made before installation matter more than any later treatment.

Where to start

Begin with the room. South-facing rooms tolerate richer, darker tones; smaller spaces tend to open up with lighter woods like pale oak or whitewashed ash. For high-traffic areas, choose a harder species or an engineered construction with a thicker wear layer.

The finish is the second decision. Oil sinks into the wood and is repairable on the spot; lacquer creates a protective film and needs to be sanded back if scratched. For families with kids or pets, our team usually recommends a hardwax oil.

A note on sustainability

Every species we sell is FSC® or PEFC™ certified, and we publish the country of origin on every product page. If you would like to see chain-of-custody certificates, our trade team will be happy to share them.