Solid vs. engineered: pick before you quote
Solid hardwood is a single piece of wood milled to a plank, nailed or stapled to a wood subfloor. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its life, but it's not recommended below grade because of moisture movement.
Engineered hardwood has a real wood veneer bonded over layers of plywood, making it more dimensionally stable. It can be installed on basement slabs, floats or glues down, and handles humidity swings better, but it can only be refinished once or twice depending on veneer thickness.
Plank width and finish options without overpaying
Wide-plank floors (5"+ wide) look the most premium and cost more per square foot due to material waste and installation care. Standard 2 1/4"–3 1/4" strip flooring costs less and is more forgiving of minor subfloor movement. Site-finished floors (sanded and coated after installation) cost more but allow custom stain matching; factory-prefinished floors install faster and have no odor or dry time.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I install hardwood in my basement?+
Solid hardwood generally isn't recommended below grade due to moisture. Engineered hardwood with a proper vapor barrier can work in a dry, finished basement, but LVP is usually the safer and more affordable choice for below-grade spaces.
How many times can hardwood be refinished?+
Solid hardwood can typically be sanded and refinished 4–6 times over its life, depending on board thickness. Engineered hardwood can usually be refinished once or twice, depending on the veneer thickness.
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