Hardwood floors are a natural fit for Bloomfield Hills homes. From stately colonials to modern custom builds near the area's lakes and wooded lots, wood flooring adds warmth, value and timeless style. The first big decision is whether to choose solid or engineered hardwood. At Urban Floors, we help homeowners across Oakland County compare both options side by side, so you can choose the floor that fits your home, your rooms and the way you live.
Here is a clear look at how solid and engineered hardwood differ and where each one performs best.
What Is Solid Hardwood?
Solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood, top to bottom. Planks are typically around three-quarters of an inch thick and are nailed or stapled to a wood subfloor.
The biggest advantage is longevity. Because the entire plank is real wood, solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished several times over its life. A floor installed today can be refreshed with a new stain color decades from now.
What Is Engineered Hardwood?
Engineered hardwood has a real wood top layer bonded to a core of cross-layered plywood or similar material. The surface looks and feels exactly like solid wood because it is solid wood, while the layered core underneath adds strength and stability.
Engineered planks can be nailed, glued or floated, which opens up more installation options, including over concrete and radiant heat systems. Many engineered floors can also be refinished, depending on the thickness of the wear layer.
How Michigan Weather Affects Your Choice
Southeast Michigan puts wood floors through real seasonal swings. Furnaces run for months during long, snowy winters, drying indoor air. Warm, humid summers bring moisture back. Wood naturally expands and contracts with these changes.
Solid Hardwood and Humidity
Solid planks move more with seasonal changes. You may notice small gaps between boards in late winter that close up again in summer. A whole-home humidifier and steady indoor conditions help keep a solid floor looking its best.
Engineered Hardwood and Stability
The cross-layered core in engineered hardwood resists expansion and contraction. This makes it a strong choice for homes with big temperature swings, rooms with large windows and spaces where humidity is harder to control.
Comparing Solid and Engineered Hardwood
Appearance
Both floors show real wood grain and color. Engineered hardwood often comes in wider and longer planks, since its stable core supports larger boards without as much movement. Solid hardwood offers a classic, traditional look that many historic homes call for.
Durability
Durability depends mostly on the wood species and the finish. Harder species like hickory and maple resist dents well, while walnut offers rich color with a softer surface. Both solid and engineered floors share the same top-layer strength.
Refinishing
Solid hardwood wins for lifetime refinishing. Engineered hardwood with a thick wear layer can still be refinished, while thinner wear layers allow fewer sandings.
Installation
Engineered hardwood is more flexible. It works on, above and below grade, including finished basements. Solid hardwood is best on or above grade over a wood subfloor.
Value
Both add lasting appeal and resale value to a home, and both are a smart long-term investment. Pricing depends on species, plank size, finish and installation method more than on construction alone.
Where Each Option Works Best in Your Home
Choose Solid Hardwood For
Main-floor living and dining rooms over wood subfloors
Traditional homes where you want maximum refinishing potential
Staircases and formal spaces
Choose Engineered Hardwood For
Finished basements and lower levels
Rooms over concrete slabs or radiant heat
Open-concept spaces with wide-plank designs
Kitchens and areas with more humidity variation
Hardwood Brands and Styles at Urban Floors
Urban Floors carries a broad range of hardwood flooring, including walnut, maple, hickory and random-width planking, from brands such as Proximity Mills, Bella Cera and Somerset. Random-width planks are a beautiful way to create a custom floor with an authentic, hand-crafted feel, and they suit both traditional and transitional Bloomfield Hills interiors.
Design Ideas for Upscale Homes
Wide-plank white oak for a calm, light-filled look in open layouts
Rich walnut for libraries, studies and formal dining rooms
Character hickory for family rooms with an inviting, rustic touch
Random-width planks for a custom floor that feels one of a kind
Caring for Hardwood Through the Seasons
Whichever construction you choose, a few simple habits protect your investment:
Keep indoor humidity steady, ideally with a humidifier in winter
Sweep or vacuum often to remove grit and road salt
Use a cleaner made for wood floors and avoid soaking the surface
Place mats at doors and rugs in high-traffic paths
Add felt pads under furniture legs
Michigan winters bring salt and slush indoors, so a quick wipe after snowy days helps protect the finish.
Visit Urban Floors to Compare in Person
Seeing solid and engineered hardwood side by side helps you feel the difference in weight, texture and finish. Urban Floors stocks thousands of square feet of in-stock flooring, including American-made, tariff-free options, and carries the newest lines from major manufacturers at competitive prices. Book an appointment at our Sylvan Lake showroom, a short drive from Bloomfield Hills, visit us in Walled Lake or request samples at home. Our online visualizer and financing options make planning easy.
Make the Right Hardwood Choice
Solid hardwood offers unmatched refinishing potential and classic appeal, while engineered hardwood brings stability, flexible installation and wide-plank style. The right choice depends on your rooms, your subfloor and how you want your home to look for years to come.
Ready to explore hardwood for your home? Call (248) 940-3365, book a showroom visit or order samples at home. We are here to help you choose a beautiful, durable floor that suits your style and your budget.
