Why Hardwood Flooring Is Worth the Investment
Hardwood flooring is one of the few home upgrades that adds genuine, lasting value. It’s beautiful, durable, and — unlike almost any other flooring type — can be sanded and refinished multiple times, giving it a lifespan that can stretch 50, 75, even 100 years with proper care. If you’re buying a forever home or want maximum resale value, hardwood is hard to beat.
Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood
This is the first decision you’ll need to make:
- Solid hardwood: A single, solid piece of wood from top to bottom. Typically 3/4″ thick. Can be sanded and refinished many times. Best for above-grade installations in controlled humidity environments.
- Engineered hardwood: A real hardwood veneer bonded to multiple layers of plywood. More dimensionally stable than solid wood — better suited for varying humidity conditions, over concrete slabs, or below grade. Can be refinished 1–3 times depending on veneer thickness.
Wood Species and Hardness
The Janka hardness scale measures how resistant a wood species is to denting. Higher numbers mean harder wood.
- Oak (Red/White): 1,290–1,360 Janka — the most popular choice; durable, affordable, widely available
- Maple: 1,450 Janka — very hard, light-colored, great for modern aesthetics
- Hickory: 1,820 Janka — extremely hard with dramatic grain variation
- Walnut: 1,010 Janka — softer but strikingly beautiful; rich, dark tones
- Pine: 870–1,225 Janka — softer, more prone to denting; rustic, character-rich look
For busy households with kids and pets, choose a harder species (1,200+ Janka).
Wood Grade
Hardwood is graded by the appearance of knots, color variation, and mineral streaks:
- Clear/Select: Minimal knots, uniform color — the most formal, consistent look
- Common #1: Some knots and color variation — natural, rustic character
- Common #2: More pronounced knots, mineral streaks — even more rustic
Finish Options
- Pre-finished: Sanded and finished at the factory. Ready to walk on immediately after installation. More consistent finish. Minor gaps may be visible at seams.
- Site-finished: Sanded and finished after installation. Seamless look with no gaps. More disruption during install (dust, fumes, drying time).
What Does Hardwood Flooring Cost?
- Materials: $5–$15+ per square foot depending on species, grade, and finish
- Installation: $3–$6 per square foot for professional nail-down or glue-down
- Budget 10–15% extra for waste from cuts
Key Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- Will this go above, on, or below grade?
- Do I have a wood or concrete subfloor?
- How variable is humidity in my home?
- Do I have pets or young kids?
Bring your answers to the team at Total Value Flooring and we’ll help you find the right hardwood for your home and budget.