What Type of Hardwood Flooring is Best?

The best type of hardwood flooring is best for denver homes

What type of hardwood flooring in Denver is best? Between solid, engineered, prefinished, site-finished and reclaimed, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The truth? The “best” hardwood flooring is based on your home, your style preferences, your climate and how long you plan to stay in the space.

Living in Denver, there’s another layer to consider. Colorado’s dry air and swinging seasonal temperatures make a huge difference as not every hardwood behaves the same.

At our Denver wholesale flooring shop, we help homeowners cut through the confusion by comparing the strengths of each hardwood type. We provide clear guidance so you can choose wood flooring that looks beautiful, performs well and lasts for decades.

Here’s what you need to know when shopping for the best hardwood flooring for your home.

Solid Hardwood: Best for Long-Term Durability

Denver’s Solid hardwood flooring is the traditional, all-wood flooring option. Each plank is milled from a single piece of timber, so you get natural beauty and the longest lifespan. The biggest advantages include:

  • Can be refinished multiple times
  • Lifespan of 50-100 years
  • Ideal for long-term homes and higher-value properties 
  • Classic, authentic look

Keep in mind that solid hardwood expands and contracts with humidity. In Denver’s dry climate, maintaining stable indoor humidity is essential. 

Deciding if solid hardwood is right for your lifestyle? Tongue & Groove can walk you through long-term expectations so you can make an informed decision.

Engineered Hardwood: Best for Denver’s Climate

Engineered hardwood is one of the most popular options for Denver homeowners. That’s because it combines real wood beauty with additional stability. Each plank has a real wood veneer top and stable plywood core underneath, providing additional strength and flexibility. Benefits include:

  • More stable in dry climates
  • Less prone to cupping, gapping or movement
  • Compatible with wider planks
  • Can be refinished depending on wear-layer thickness
  • Real wood surface at a more affordable price

Just remember that engineered hardwood works a little differently. Although it’s still real hardwood, it can’t be refinished as many times as its solid counterpart and often doesn’t last as long as a result.

Engineered hardwood floors are still a top choice at Tongue & Groove. Their durability and climate stability have made them a staple of Denver homes.

Prefinished Hardwood: Best for Fast, Clean Installations

Prefinished hardwood is exactly what its name says it is. The planks are finished at the factory, rather than on-site. Some of the reasons it’s a top choice include the following:

  • No sanding inside the home
  • No staining or finishing fumes
  • A cleaner, quicker installation
  • Highly, durable UV-cured finish

Although it’s great for remodels or tight project timelines, opportunities for customization are limited since every board arrives with the same stain, sheen and topcoat.

Want beautiful hardwood installed correctly without compromising on quality? Prefinished hardwood from Tongue & Groove is available in several styles and colors.

Unfinished/Site-Finished Hardwood: Best for Full Customization

If you want to make your hardwood flooring your own, unfinished or site-finished hardwood is the way to go. The wood arrives raw and is then sanded, stained and sealed directly in your home. Choose this option for the following reasons:

  • Fully customized color and sheen
  • Seamless, uniform surface (no micro-bevels)
  • Ability to match cabinetry, trim or existing floors
  • Can be repaired and refinished multiple times

Site-finished hardwood is a favorite in high-end custom homes because of its unlimited design freedom and completely tailored look. However, this process takes more time and will increase labor costs.

One of our specialties at Tongue & Groove is premium site-finished hardwood. We hand-sand and seal your planks on-site for professional results.

Reclaimed Hardwood: Best for Character & Sustainability

Reclaimed hardwood brings warmth, charm and history to any space. Salvaged from barns, mills and historical structures, every board has its story. The following qualities make these floors special:

  • Naturally aged and extremely durable
  • Rich texture and patina
  • No two boards look alike
  • Adds instant character to any space
  • Eco-friendly, sustainable choice

As beautiful and unique as it is, reclaimed hardwood comes at a price. It costs more per square foot, but provides exceptional value to any home when used in feature areas like entryways, great rooms or stair treads.

Searching for a one-of-a-kind floor? Tongue & Groove offers reclaimed options with unmatched authenticity and craftsmanship.

What “Best” Really Means for Your Home

In short, there’s no single “best” hardwood flooring for every homeowner. The right choice comes down to the following:

  • Your home’s humidity and environment
  • Whether you want wide planks or narrow boards
  • Your budget and long-term plans
  • Your preferred maintenance level
  • Your interior design style
  • Whether you want customization or convenience

We take all of these factors into consideration when you come into our showroom. We don’t want you to have to guess which option is right for you.

Choose the Right Hardwood Floor For Your Needs

Solid, engineered, prefinished, site-finished and reclaimed hardwood all have their time and place. Each has its strengths, which makes it “best” for different homes.At Tongue & Groove, we are here for you. We’ll walk you through the decision-making process to choose beautiful, durable hardwood floors that are tailored to your home.

Ready to find the perfect hardwood floor? Contact us or visit our Denver showroom today!

Picture of Chris Keale

Chris Keale

Owner & Operator of Tongue & Groove Flooring
Wood Flooring 101 Course Creator

Chris Keale is the owner of Tongue & Groove and the creator of the Wood Floors 101 course, an educational resource that helps homeowners and design professionals make confident flooring decisions.

With a career that began in global technology and consulting, Chris traded boardrooms for floorboards, bringing his leadership skills and love of craftsmanship into the hardwood flooring industry. Since 2007, he has grown Tongue & Groove into one of Colorado’s most trusted flooring companies—built on a foundation of integrity, education and precision. 

Known for his sharp insight, dry humor and genuine commitment to his clients, Chris has helped homeowners, builders and designers through the complexities of choosing and installing hardwood floors. Whether teaching in the showroom, on a jobsite or through his Wood Floors 101, his mission remains the same: to simplify a complicated industry and deliver floors that stand the test of time.

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