Best Hardwood Flooring for DIYers
Real wood floors add lasting value and can be refinished for generations. Solid wood is all-wood and sands many times; engineered wood is a real-wood veneer over a stable core that handles humidity and basements better.
What to look for
- ·Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished many times and lasts generations, but moves with humidity and is not for basements.
- ·Engineered hardwood is real wood over a stable plywood core, better for humidity, wide planks, and below-grade installs, with fewer refinishes.
- ·Harder species (oak, hickory, maple) resist dents better than soft ones; check the Janka hardness for high-traffic homes and pets.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset Hardwood Flooring | Editor's pick | $5 to $9 per sq ft | Premium USA-made quality |
| Shaw Floors Hardwood | Editor's pick | $5 to $10 per sq ft | Premium selection and performance |
| Anderson Tuftex Hardwood | Editor's pick | $6 to $12 per sq ft | Luxury, design-forward floors |
| Bruce Hardwood Flooring | Best value | $3 to $6 per sq ft | Affordable classic hardwood |
| Mohawk Hardwood | Best value | $3 to $7 per sq ft | Everyday value |
| Bellawood Engineered (LL Flooring) | Best value | $3 to $6 per sq ft | Value engineered with warranty |
| Prefinished Oak (Home Center) | Budget pick | $2.50 to $5 per sq ft | Budget real wood |
| Builder's Pride Hardwood | Budget pick | $2.50 to $5 per sq ft | Budget whole-home jobs |
| Store-Brand Engineered Hardwood | Budget pick | $2 to $4 per sq ft | Lowest-cost real wood |
Editor's pick
Somerset Hardwood Flooring
$5 to $9 per sq ft
American-made flooring from Tennessee using thick, locally sourced veneers and old-growth craftsmanship. Standout engineered construction with a 7-ply core. A premium, USA-made pick.
Best for: Premium USA-made quality
Typically available at Flooring retailers.
Shaw Floors Hardwood
$5 to $10 per sq ft
A premium line with broad selection, durable finishes, and strong performance across solid and engineered. The pick for selection and proven quality.
Best for: Premium selection and performance
Typically available at Flooring retailers, Home Depot.
Anderson Tuftex Hardwood
$6 to $12 per sq ft
Handcrafted, design-forward hardwood with rich character and quality engineered construction. The pick for a luxury look and distinctive finishes.
Best for: Luxury, design-forward floors
Typically available at Flooring retailers.
Best value
Bruce Hardwood Flooring
$3 to $6 per sq ft
A century-old name that dominates the affordable hardwood market, with classic styles in solid and engineered. A strong value with wear-resistant finishes.
Best for: Affordable classic hardwood
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Flooring retailers.
Mohawk Hardwood
$3 to $7 per sq ft
Quality engineered and solid hardwood at everyday-value prices from a major maker. A dependable mid-value pick with good looks and durability.
Best for: Everyday value
Typically available at Home Depot, Flooring retailers.
Bellawood Engineered (LL Flooring)
$3 to $6 per sq ft
Prefinished engineered planks with a long transferable warranty and many stains, an affordable in-house brand. A solid value for real wood floors.
Best for: Value engineered with warranty
Typically available at Flooring retailers.
Budget pick
Prefinished Oak (Home Center)
$2.50 to $5 per sq ft
Budget prefinished oak flooring stocked at home centers for a classic look at a low price. A cost-effective way to get real wood floors.
Best for: Budget real wood
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Builder's Pride Hardwood
$2.50 to $5 per sq ft
An affordable hardwood line popular for whole-home jobs on a budget. Basic but real wood, with a range of looks for the price.
Best for: Budget whole-home jobs
Typically available at Flooring retailers.
Store-Brand Engineered Hardwood
$2 to $4 per sq ft
The lowest-cost engineered real-wood flooring for budget remodels. Thinner veneer and fewer refinishes, but genuine wood at the cheapest price.
Best for: Lowest-cost real wood
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Frequently asked
Solid or engineered hardwood?+
Solid hardwood is all wood, can be refinished many times, and lasts generations, but expands and contracts with humidity and is not recommended for basements. Engineered hardwood is a real-wood veneer over a stable core, handling humidity and below-grade installs better, with fewer possible refinishes.
How many times can hardwood be refinished?+
Solid hardwood can typically be sanded and refinished several times over its life (often 4 to 7+ depending on thickness). Engineered floors can be refinished fewer times, sometimes once or twice, depending on the veneer thickness, so a thicker wear layer is worth paying for.
What wood species should I choose?+
Oak is the popular, durable, value standard. Hickory and maple are harder and dent-resistant for busy homes and pets, while walnut and cherry are softer but prized for looks. Check the Janka hardness rating if dent resistance matters.
Can I install hardwood in a basement?+
Use engineered hardwood below grade, not solid, because basements have moisture and humidity swings that make solid wood cup and gap. Even with engineered, control moisture, use a vapor barrier as directed, and acclimate the flooring first.
Is hardwood flooring a DIY project?+
Engineered click-lock floating floors are very DIY-friendly. Nail-down solid hardwood needs a flooring nailer and more skill but is doable for a determined homeowner. Either way, a flat subfloor, proper acclimation, and an expansion gap are essential.
Planning a bigger job? See the full Flooring Installation project guide: cost, DIY vs. hire, and the whole plan.
Open the Flooring Installation guide →