Last Updated: 23rd March 2026
Choosing the right floor for your home is about more than just picking a pretty color from a showroom display. It is one of the most significant investments you will make in your property—the surface where your family gathers, where your kids play, and where your daily life unfolds.
At Murfreesboro Flooring, we have spent over 20 years helping Middle Tennessee homeowners navigate the world of wood. We know that while the look of the wood is what catches your eye, it is the quality of the material and the precision of the work that keeps you happy ten years down the road. If you are feeling overwhelmed by samples, don’t worry. Here are the five essential things you need to know before buying hardwood flooring.
Why This Remains One of the Most Popular Choices for Homes
This type of flooring continues to captivate homeowners because it offers a rare combination of timeless elegance and extreme durability. Unlike carpet, which traps allergens and wears out every decade, hardwood provides a robust, easy-to-clean surface that actually increases your home’s resale value.
Whether you are aiming for a rustic farmhouse look or a sleek modern aesthetic, wood offers a versatility that few other materials can match.
1. Understand the Difference Between Solid and Engineered Hardwood Flooring
When choosing hardwood, the first major fork in the road is deciding between solid and engineered planks. While they can look identical once installed, they behave very differently underneath your feet.
What Is Solid Hardwood Flooring?
This is exactly what it sounds like: a single, continuous piece of wood from the surface to the subfloor. Its biggest advantage is longevity. Because it is solid all the way through, it can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifespan. This makes it an intergenerational product—something that can literally last a century with the right care.
What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
This type consists of a real hardwood veneer bonded to multiple layers of high-grade plywood or fiberboard. This layered construction isn’t a shortcut; it’s a technological solution to the natural movement of wood.
- Stability: It is much more resistant to temperature and humidity changes- a good option when buying hardwood flooring.
- Versatility: It can be installed in basements or over concrete subfloors where solid wood might warp and buckle.
- Ease of Use: Many options allow for floating installations, which can be faster in certain home environments.
Which Option Is Better for Your Home?
The right choice often depends on your specific room. For a formal dining room on a main level, solid wood is hard to beat. However, for a kitchen or a walk-out basement—areas where Tennessee’s humidity fluctuates—engineered wood is usually the safer, more stable choice.
2. What Really Influences Your Hardwood Flooring Installation Cost?
It is easy to get caught up in the hardwood flooring price per square foot, but the material is only half the story. Several behind-the-scenes factors influence the total cost to install hardwood floors:
- Subfloor Preparation: This is the most overlooked expense. If your subfloor is uneven, bouncy, or holds moisture, it must be leveled and sealed before installation can begin.
- Existing Floor Removal: Tearing out old carpet is simple, but removing old glued-down tile or existing wood requires specialized labor and equipment.
- The Complexity of the Layout: A wide-open living room is straightforward. However, stairs, hallways with multiple doorways, or intricate patterns will increase the labor required for the installation.
3. Not All Hardwood Materials Perform the Same
Wood species vary widely in hardness, measured on the Janka scale. If you have large dogs or active children, choosing a harder domestic species, such as hickory or white oak, is essential for long-term performance.
Softer woods like pine or cherry provide beautiful color but can dent more easily under heavy foot traffic. Speak with a flooring expert to compare solid and engineered hardwood flooring options and find a species that fits your lifestyle.
4. Professional Flooring Installation Makes a Major Difference
While DIY projects are popular, hardwood installation is a craft that requires precision. A professional knows how to acclimate the wood to your home’s specific humidity levels—a step that, if skipped, leads to gapping and buckling within months.
This is why it is important to call in the professionals for all of your flooring needs. Whether deigning, installing, or buying hardwood flooring, professional work often protects your manufacturer’s warranty, ensuring that your investment is covered if the material itself ever fails.
5. Affordable Hardwood Options Are Always Available
You don’t have to sacrifice quality to find affordable options. One of the best ways to save is by choosing character or rustic grades. These planks include natural knots and color variations that high-grade wood discards, but they offer a stunning, unique look at a lower price point.
Additionally, choosing common domestic species like red oak over exotic imports can significantly lower your budget without losing the luxury of real wood.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Hardwood Flooring for Your Home
Selecting the right option for your home is about balancing your daily reality with your design dreams. By understanding your environment, prepping your budget for subfloor work, and trusting the pros to handle the heavy lifting, you ensure your new floors will be a source of pride for decades.
At Murfreesboro Flooring, we believe every home deserves a foundation of quality. If you are ready to see the difference 20 years of local experience makes, we are here to help. Contact us today to explore our selection of hardwood floors and get started on your home’s transformation. When you need a guiding hand to help makebuying hardwood flooring easy, we are just a phone call away!
Frequently Asked Questions
Lighter shades are generally best for smaller spaces. Colors like pale oak, ash, or soft maple reflect more natural light and create the illusion of a more open, airy room. Avoid very dark hues, which can make a small area feel cramped or closed in unless you have high ceilings and significant window light.
The most important rule is to avoid excessive water. Regularly sweep or vacuum (using a hard-surface setting) to remove dirt that acts like sandpaper on the finish. For deeper cleaning, use a damp—not dripping—mop with a professional wood-safe cleaner. Always wipe up spills immediately to prevent moisture from seeping into the seams.
In some cases, yes, provided the existing surface is perfectly level, solid, and non-cushioned. You can often install over old tile or vinyl, but carpet must always be removed. Keep in mind that layering floors will increase the height of the room, which may require you to trim the bottom of your doors.
With proper care, solid hardwood can last 75 to 100 years, as it can be sanded and refinished several times. Engineered wood typically lasts 25 to 40 years, depending on the thickness of its top wear layer. Professional installation and maintaining a stable humidity level in your home are the biggest factors in maximizing this lifespan.
Yes. You can look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified products, which ensure the wood was harvested sustainably. Domestic species are also more eco-friendly because they require less fuel for transportation. Additionally, many modern finishes have low or zero VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which is better for your indoor air quality.