Solid hardwood flooring can be applied on or above grade (at or above ground level). It can generally be stapled or nailed to a wood subfloor and in some cases can be glued to a concrete subfloor.

With proper maintenance, solid hardwood can last for decades and can also be refinished after years of wear to have its original beauty restored.

Solid hardwood flooring is available in several different grades. At one end of this spectrum are the grades that are commonly referred to as “country” or “character” grades. These grades feature mineral streaks, knots, and a high degree of variation in colour between boards. The “select” or “elite” grades are of a cleaner, more consistent appearance, though there may still be some significant variation in colour – depending largely on the species of wood.

Country Grade Maple	Prestige Grade Maple

A quality solid hardwood will be well-milled with straight boards of uniform thickness, will be protected with a high quality finish, and will be backed up by a reliable manufacturer’s warranty. Generally speaking, longer planks of solid hardwood are more desirable and more costly than shorter planks.