Flooring Construction: Engineered, Solid & Unfinished
Hardwood “construction” is how the floor is built -- not the wood species. The right construction affects stability, installation method, and maintenance. Visit Whole Wood’s San Carlos showroom + warehouse to compare real boards and check in-stock options.
Engineered Hardwood (most stable)
Multiple wood layers with a real hardwood top (wear layer) for excellent stability—ideal for Bay Area humidity swings, slab foundations, and wide planks. Learn more about engineered hardwood flooring.
Why choose engineered
- Handles temperature + moisture changes better
- Works over concrete (glue or float) and radiant heat (check specs)
- Wide, long planks with reduced cupping
- Refinishable (depends on wear layer thickness)
Best for: basements, condos/slabs, radiant heat, wide-plank designs.
Ask us about: wear layer (e.g., 2–4+ mm), ply count, installation method.
Solid Hardwood (classic, thick single piece)
One solid piece of wood milled to thickness. Timeless look and can be refinished many times. Requires a stable, wood subfloor. Learn more about solid hardwood flooring.
Why choose solid
- Traditional feel and sound underfoot
- Long service life with multiple sand-and-refinish cycles
- Great for nail-down on plywood/OSB
Best for: upper floors with wood subfloors, classic installs.
Ask us about: acclimation + humidity control; not for below-grade slabs.
Unfinished Hardwood (site-finished, custom match)
Raw boards finished on site for a seamless, custom look, which is perfect for matching existing floors or specific stain requirements. Learn more about unfinished hardwood flooring.
Why choose unfinished
- Exact color/stain + sheen control
- Flush transitions and filled seams
- Ideal for historic homes and custom specs
Best for: exact color matches, restoration projects.
Ask us about: longer timeline (site sanding/finishing), odor/curing window.
| Feature | Engineered | Solid | Unfinished (solid or engineered core) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stability (humidity) | High | Medium | Medium–High (after finish) |
| Refinishing | 0–2× (by wear layer) | Many | Site-finished control |
| Over concrete slab | Yes (glue/float) | No | Engineered: Yes / Solid: No |
| Radiant heat | Often (per spec) | Rare | Engineered: Often (per spec) |
| Install speed | Fast | Medium | Slowest (finish on site) |
Installation & Subfloors (quick guide)
- Nail/staple: solid or engineered over plywood/OSB
- Glue-down: engineered over concrete or wood
- Float: engineered with click or tongue-and-groove systems
- Radiant heat: engineered only (follow brand specs)
- Moisture testing & acclimation: always recommended
Why buy from Whole Wood
- In-stock: thousands of square feet ready for pickup or delivery
- Trade-smart logistics: same-day will-call, next-day delivery windows
- Expert guidance: species, construction, and installation advice
- No surprise pricing online: Call or visit for today’s deals (supplier policy)