Your Complete Guide to Solid Wood Flooring

Solid wood flooring, often called real wood or hardwood flooring, is the ultimate statement of natural beauty and craftsmanship. Every plank is milled from a single piece of timber — not layers, not composites — just pure, authentic wood. This gives it unmatched character, longevity, and the ability to be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifetime.

If you want a floor that will last for generations and age gracefully with your home, solid wood flooring is the gold standard.

What Is Solid Wood Flooring?

Solid wood flooring is exactly what the name suggests: each board is made from one solid piece of wood, cut, kiln-dried, and precisely milled. Because it’s 100% natural wood from top to bottom, it expands and contracts with environmental changes — a natural characteristic that gives it authenticity and charm.

The drying process is key. The timber is carefully air- or kiln-dried to achieve a balanced moisture content before it’s milled into boards. This prevents warping, cupping, and cracking after installation.

Since only genuine wood is used, solid flooring can be sanded down and refinished multiple times, restoring its original beauty for decades to come. It’s available in a wide variety of species, grains, finishes, and shades — each with its own personality.

How Is Solid Wood Flooring Made?

Solid wood flooring begins as raw timber, cut directly from sustainably managed trees. The boards are milled into planks of varying widths and thicknesses — typically between 16mm and 22mm thick, and 70mm to 203mm wide.

The way the wood is cut affects how it looks and performs:

Flat-Sawn (Plain-Sawn): Displays the traditional cathedral grain pattern most people associate with hardwood floors.
Quarter-Sawn: Boards are cut at a right angle to the growth rings, creating a straighter grain and improved stability.
Rift-Sawn: Cut diagonally to produce long, linear grain lines with minimal variation — often used in high-end installations.

After cutting, the wood is dried in kilns to remove excess moisture and then sanded and finished. The final result is a solid, durable, natural floor that can last a century or more.

Types of Solid Wood Flooring Construction

There are two primary types of solid wood construction, both made entirely from real wood but differing in structure and stability.

1. 100% Solid

This is the purest form of hardwood flooring — one continuous strip of wood from top to bottom. It’s extremely durable, naturally strong, and can be refinished multiple times over its life. Properly cared for, solid wood floors can last well over 100 years.

2. Structured or VFJ (Veneered Finger-Jointed)

VFJ solid wood is crafted using a solid wood veneer on top and a core made from finger-jointed solid wood pieces. It’s still 100% real wood, but the finger-jointing improves stability and reduces the likelihood of movement caused by changes in humidity. It’s a smart, sustainable way to get the benefits of solid flooring with reduced waste.

Popular Solid Wood Species

The choice of wood species defines the character, tone, and texture of your floor. Each species brings its own natural strengths and aesthetic qualities.

Oak

The timeless favorite. Oak flooring offers a classic, traditional appearance with natural knots and rich grain patterns. European Oak, in particular, is prized for its consistent quality and warm golden tones. Oak is also one of the most durable and versatile species, suitable for nearly any home design.

Acacia

Known for its dramatic light-to-dark contrasts and swirling grain, Acacia delivers a bold, exotic look. Each board has a one-of-a-kind pattern that adds personality and warmth to any room. It’s dense and highly durable, making it perfect for high-traffic spaces.

Walnut

Walnut is a darker, richer species that exudes luxury. Its deep brown tones and smooth texture create a refined and elegant aesthetic. Over time, walnut lightens slightly, gaining a beautiful patina that enhances its natural beauty.

Maple

Maple solid wood floors are smooth and light in color, offering a clean, modern feel. The fine grain makes it perfect for contemporary spaces, and it’s exceptionally hard, meaning it resists dents and scratches well.

Solid Wood Flooring Shades

Choosing the right shade helps define the personality of your room. Solid wood flooring comes in light, medium, and dark tones, each with unique advantages.

Light Shades
Brighten rooms and reflect natural light beautifully. Ideal for smaller or darker spaces, and particularly suited for Scandinavian or coastal interiors. Light floors also disguise scratches and dust better than darker options.

Medium Shades
A versatile choice that works with both light and dark furniture. Medium tones often highlight the natural warmth of oak or maple and provide a timeless, balanced look.

Dark Shades
Elegant and dramatic. Dark floors such as walnut or smoked oak add contrast and depth, creating a cozy, sophisticated atmosphere. They pair beautifully with light walls and modern décor.

Solid Wood Flooring Finishes

The right finish enhances the wood’s natural features while providing protection. Here are the most common finishes and their advantages:

Lacquered
Provides a glossy, polished look and a durable, sealed surface. Easy to clean and resistant to fading. Perfect for busy households that want low maintenance.

Oiled
Penetrates into the wood for a soft, natural finish that enhances texture. Small scratches can be spot-repaired by re-oiling, making it easy to maintain long term.

Brushed and Oiled
Wire brushing removes the softer grain to expose texture and depth, then the oil enriches and protects it. Great for rustic or lived-in spaces, and excellent at concealing everyday wear.

Brushed and Lacquered
Combines texture with the durability of a lacquered surface. Resistant to spills, sunlight, and foot traffic while preserving the natural beauty of wood grain.

Hand Scraped
Each plank is sculpted for a unique, vintage look. Originally done by hand, now machine-replicated for consistency and affordability. Adds rich character and charm.

Unfinished
Comes raw and ready for custom staining or oiling. Perfect for creating a personalized finish or matching existing floors.

Solid Wood Floor Grades

Wood grading determines the amount of natural variation in color, grain, and knots. All grades are beautiful — the difference is in style preference.

Prime Grade: Smooth, consistent boards with minimal knots and even color. Ideal for modern, minimalist homes.
Select Grade: A balance between uniformity and character. Small knots and slight color shifts add subtle warmth.
Rustic Grade: Full of character with visible knots, natural texture, and tonal variation. Rustic wood has a more organic, lived-in look.
Distressed Grade: Specially treated to look aged, featuring hand-scraped textures, saw marks, and color washes. Perfect for vintage or industrial styles.

Plank Styles and Layouts

The way your solid wood flooring is cut and laid affects the final design.

Single Plank:
Each board is cut from a single piece of timber. This is the most traditional option and highlights the full grain and pattern of the wood.

Parquet Patterns:
Planks are laid in repeating geometric designs, such as herringbone or chevron, for a timeless, sophisticated aesthetic. Parquet flooring adds visual movement and architectural style to any room.

Thickness and Durability

Solid wood flooring typically ranges from 16mm to 22mm thick. The thicker the board, the longer it will last and the more times it can be sanded and refinished.

Thinner boards are suitable for rooms where you need to match existing floor heights or stay within a tighter budget, but always ensure at least 18mm thickness if you’re not installing directly onto a solid base.

Properly maintained, solid wood floors can last for generations — many historic homes still have their original hardwood floors intact over a century later.

Joining Methods and Installation

There are two main joining systems used for solid wood flooring, each offering a different installation experience.

Click Fit
Modern and user-friendly. Boards simply click together, locking into place without glue or nails. It’s ideal for floating installations and DIY projects.

Tongue & Groove (T&G)
Traditional and reliable. One edge has a tongue, the other a groove, which fit together tightly. T&G can be nailed or glued to the subfloor, producing a sturdy, seamless finish.

Because solid wood naturally expands and contracts with humidity, it’s crucial to leave proper expansion gaps during installation and to acclimate the boards for 3–5 days before fitting.

Accessories for Solid Wood Flooring

To achieve a professional finish, you’ll need accessories such as:

Adhesives or nails (depending on installation method)
Underlay for acoustic and moisture control
Trim and finishing pieces like T-profiles, end profiles, ramps, and stair nosing
Beading and skirting to conceal expansion gaps
Pipe covers for radiator fittings

Quality accessories ensure durability and a clean, polished look once your floor is complete.

Why Choose Solid Wood Flooring?

Solid wood flooring is a long-term investment in your home’s value and style. Because it’s made entirely from real timber, it can be restored repeatedly — often lasting for the lifetime of the property.

Here are the main benefits:

Authentic Natural Beauty: Every board is unique, showcasing the natural patterns of real wood.
Longevity: Can be sanded and refinished many times, lasting 50–100 years or more.
Premium Feel: Offers warmth, elegance, and the unmistakable solid sound and texture of real wood.
Increases Property Value: Highly desirable among buyers and adds lasting resale appeal.
Sustainability: Made from renewable resources, especially when sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Customizable: Available in a wide range of species, colors, widths, and finishes — or choose unfinished boards and personalize them yourself.

While it typically costs more upfront than engineered wood or laminate, solid wood flooring’s longevity and enduring beauty make it one of the most worthwhile investments you can make for your home.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for the most authentic, long-lasting, and timeless flooring option, solid wood is the ultimate choice. It carries the warmth and soul of real wood and can last for generations with proper care.

Whether you prefer bright oak, rich walnut, or distinctive acacia, solid wood flooring elevates any space with natural texture and timeless sophistication.

It’s not just a floor — it’s a part of your home’s story that will grow more beautiful with age.