How to Choose the Right Hardwood Flooring for Your Home: A Complete Guide

Choosing the right hardwood flooring is about more than just picking a pretty plank. It’s about finding a flooring solution that complements your home’s style, fits your family’s lifestyle, and lasts for decades. At Klaasen Wood Floors in Holland, Michigan, we understand how overwhelming this decision can be. With over 20 years of industry experience, our team is here to guide you step-by-step to ensure you make the best choice for your space. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most important considerations when selecting hardwood flooring. 

1. Understanding Your Flooring Needs

Before browsing samples, it’s important to define what you really need from your flooring. Start by asking yourself a few key questions: 

• What rooms will the flooring be installed in?

• Do you have pets or children?

• Is your home high-traffic or more relaxed?

• Do you plan to stay long-term or is resale value important?

These considerations help shape the type of wood, finish, and durability level best suited to your household. For example, if you're renovating a high-traffic area like a hallway or kitchen, you’ll want a tough wood species with a strong protective finish. 

2. Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood

One of the first choices you'll make is between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. Here's a breakdown of the differences: 

Solid Hardwood 

• Made from a single piece of wood

• Can be sanded and refinished multiple times

• Ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and other low-moisture areas

• Susceptible to expansion and contraction with humidity changes

Engineered Hardwood 

• Constructed from multiple layers with a hardwood veneer on top

• More stable in varying humidity

• Great for basements, kitchens, and homes with radiant heating

• Limited refinishing potential (usually 1–2 times)

At Klaasen Wood Floors, we help clients evaluate the best option for their specific conditions, ensuring long-lasting beauty and performance. 

3. Popular Hardwood Species

Not all wood is created equal. Different species offer different benefits in terms of hardness, grain, and color tone. Here are a few popular choices: 

• Oak: The most common hardwood flooring species in the S. Known for its durability and classic grain patterns.

• Maple: Offers a cleaner, more subtle grain and is harder than oak.

• Hickory: Extremely durable with a bold grain, perfect for rustic aesthetics.

• Walnut: Rich, dark tones with a luxurious appearance, though slightly softer than others.

• White Oak: A modern favorite, featuring neutral tones and high durability.

Selecting the right species depends on both your design goals and functional requirements. Our experts at Klaasen Wood Floors can walk you through physical samples to help you feel confident in your decision. 

4. Matching Style and Aesthetic

Your flooring sets the tone for your home’s interior design. Are you going for warm and cozy, sleek and modern, or something in between? The color, grain, and finish of your hardwood floor all play a role in the overall aesthetic. 

Light woods like maple or white oak can make a space feel open and airy—great for minimalist or Scandinavian-inspired homes. Darker woods such as walnut create a sense of luxury and drama, perfect for traditional or upscale interiors. Klaasen Wood Floors offers a wide range of samples to help you visualize how each option will look in your unique space. 

5. Durability and Lifestyle Considerations

Think about your lifestyle and how much foot traffic your floors will need to handle. Pets, kids, heavy furniture, and even direct sunlight can take a toll over time. High-traffic households benefit from harder wood species like hickory or oak, combined with a durable finish. 

Engineered hardwood may also be a smart choice in homes where humidity and moisture vary, such as in lakefront properties around Holland, Michigan. Klaasen Wood Floors can recommend the right combination of wood and finish to ensure your investment stands up to your everyday life. 

6. Finish Types: Matte, Satin, Glossy

The finish of your hardwood floor not only affects how it looks but also how it performs over time. Here are the most common types: 

• Matte Finish: The most popular option, offers a natural, understated look that hides scratches and dirt well. Great for busy households.

• Satin Finish: Offering a soft sheen that balances elegance with practicality.

• Glossy Finish: High-shine and dramatic, but more likely to show dust, footprints, and imperfections.

At Klaasen Wood Floors, we use premium finishing products that enhance the wood’s natural beauty while providing long-lasting protection. We also walk our clients through finish options with actual samples so you know exactly what to expect. 

7. Color Choices and Trends

Color can dramatically change the look and feel of your home. Today’s hardwood flooring trends favor neutral tones like soft grays, warm taupes, and natural finishes that highlight the wood’s character. These versatile colors blend easily with various design themes, from modern farmhouse to classic coastal. 

While trends evolve, timeless options such as medium brown or light oak never go out of style. Klaasen Wood Floors helps clients strike a balance between personal taste and resale value, offering both trendy and classic hardwood color options tailored to your home. 

8. Wood Grade and Character

Hardwood is graded based on its appearance, not its quality. Different grades offer different aesthetics: 

• Clear Grade: Uniform color and minimal character marks

• Select Grade: Slight variation in color and minor knots

• Rustic/Character Grade: Lots of variation, knots, and natural markings

If you love a natural, lived-in look, a rustic grade may be perfect. For a cleaner, more contemporary style, select or clear grades might be the better fit. Klaasen Wood Floors can show you examples of each so you can confidently match the grade to your desired vibe. 

9. Plank Width and Length

The size of your flooring planks impacts the visual impression of a room. Wider planks (5 inches or more) are currently trending and offer a more open, luxurious look. Narrower planks create a traditional feel and work well in smaller rooms. 

Longer plank lengths can reduce the number of seams, contributing to a smoother, more refined appearance. Klaasen Wood Floors offers various width and length combinations to meet both aesthetic and practical needs, ensuring every project reflects your vision. 

10. Hardwood Flooring Installation Options

How your hardwood floor is installed impacts its performance, durability, and cost. The three main installation methods are: 

• Nail-Down: Traditional method for solid hardwood, offering strong, permanent results.

• Glue-Down: Common for engineered hardwood, especially over concrete or radiant heating systems.

• Floating Floor: Easier and quicker to install, ideal for engineered planks with click-lock systems.

At Klaasen Wood Floors, our professional installers assess your home’s subfloor and recommend the best method for your space. We take pride in meticulous craftsmanship that ensures your flooring looks great and lasts for decades. 

11. Maintenance and Longevity

Hardwood floors are durable, but they still need regular care to maintain their beauty. Here are a few essential tips: 

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove grit that can scratch the surface.

• Use felt pads under furniture to prevent dents & scratches.

• Wipe up spills promptly to prevent staining or water damage.

• Refinish the floor when wear becomes noticeable—this restores shine and prolongs its  life.

Klaasen Wood Floors not only installs new flooring but also offers expert wood floor refinishing services to breathe new life into older floors. We provide homeowners with tailored care instructions based on the specific finish and species used. 

12. Budget Considerations

Budget plays a key role in your flooring decision, but quality and longevity should never be compromised. Factors that affect cost include: 

• Type of wood (solid engineered)

• Species (oak is more affordable than walnut)

• Finish and stain options

• Installation complexity

• Square footage and waste factor

At Klaasen Wood Floors, we provide detailed, transparent estimates and help clients balance aesthetic goals with budget limitations. We also offer financing options to make premium hardwood flooring more accessible. 

13. Environmental and Sustainability Factors

Eco-conscious homeowners often ask about the environmental impact of hardwood flooring. At Klaasen Wood Floors, we proudly offer sustainably sourced wood products and eco-friendly finishes that minimize VOC emissions and support forest stewardship. 

Engineered hardwood also generates less waste and utilizes faster-growing wood species, making it a smart option for those seeking a greener footprint. Ask us about our FSC-certified options and low-VOC products to create a healthier home environment. 

14. Why Choose Klaasen Wood Floors?

With over 20 years of hardwood flooring expertise and a reputation for precision craftsmanship, Klaasen Wood Floors stands out as a top choice in Holland and across West Michigan. Here’s what sets us apart: 

• Specialization in hardwood only—no carpet, tile, or laminate distractions

• Hands-on owner involvement in every project

• Shop-at-home convenience or in-showroom experience

• Wood floor installation, sales, and refinishing under one roof

• Transparent pricing, detailed estimates, and personalized recommendations

Whether you’re starting a remodel or upgrading your forever home, we bring your vision to life with professionalism and care. 

15. Final Thoughts

Choosing the right hardwood flooring is a decision that blends design, durability, and personal style. With the right guidance, it’s an exciting and rewarding process. Klaasen Wood Floors is here to walk with you every step of the way—from selection and design to flawless installation and ongoing maintenance. 

Reach out today to request a consultation, explore samples, or get a free quote from Holland’s most trusted hardwood flooring experts. Contact Klaasen Wood Floors today to schedule your free estimate! Our showroom in Holland, MI, serves Saugatuck, MI, Zeeland, MI, Ada, MI, Grand Haven, MI, Holland, MI. 

16. FAQs

Q1: Can I install hardwood flooring in a basement? 

A: Solid hardwood isn’t recommended for basements, but engineered hardwood is a great alternative due to its moisture resistance. 

Q2: How long does hardwood flooring last? 

A: With proper maintenance, solid hardwood can last 50+ years. Engineered hardwood typically lasts 20–30 years depending on the thickness of the veneer. 

Q3: Is refinishing messy or disruptive? 

A: Klaasen Wood Floors uses dust-minimizing equipment and clear scheduling to minimize disruptions during the refinishing process. 

Q4: What’s the best hardwood for homes with pets? 

A: Harder woods like hickory or white oak paired with a matte finish resist scratches better and are ideal for pet owners. 

Q5: Can you match new hardwood to my existing floor? 

A: Sometimes, our team specializes in matching species, stains, and finishes to create a seamless transition between new and old floors.