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What Type of Hardwood Flooring Is Best? A Complete Guide for Homeowners
- Updated: February 23rd, 2026
- Author: Altimate Flooring team
If you are shopping for hardwood floors, you have probably already discovered how many options are out there. Solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, different wood species, finishes, widths, the list goes on.
At Altimate Flooring, our team has been helping Rapid City, SD homeowners choose the right hardwood for over 35 years, and we put together this guide to simplify the decision for you.
Whether you are building new or updating an existing space, we will walk you through everything you need to know.
And if you are ready to talk to someone now, feel free to contact us or stop by our showroom at 1221 Oregon St, Rapid City, SD 57701.
Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered Hardwood: What Is the Difference?
This is the first question most homeowners ask, and it is the most important one to answer before anything else. Both types use real wood, but they are built differently and perform differently depending on where they are installed.
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like: a single, solid piece of wood milled from top to bottom. It is the traditional choice and has been used in homes for centuries. The main advantage of solid hardwood is that it can be sanded and refinished many times over its lifetime, which means a well-maintained solid hardwood floor can last 75 to 100 years or more.
The trade-off is that solid hardwood is sensitive to moisture and humidity. Wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature and moisture levels, and solid planks can warp, cup, or gap if conditions are not controlled. For this reason, solid hardwood is not recommended for basements or rooms with high moisture exposure.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood has a real hardwood veneer on top, bonded to a stable core made of multiple wood layers. This construction dramatically reduces the natural movement that causes warping and gapping, making engineered hardwood far more versatile across different rooms and climates.
For most homeowners, especially here in South Dakota where temperature swings are a fact of life, hardwood is the better all-around choice.
It also allows for wider and longer planks, which is a popular design trend right now. Solid hardwood in wider formats tends to move more, but engineered hardwood handles those wider dimensions without issue.
You can browse our full selection of hardwood options in our hardwood catalog to see what is available in both solid and engineered styles.
What Type of Hardwood Flooring Is Best for Most Homes?
In our experience, engineered hardwood is the best type of hardwood flooring for most residential settings. The combination of a real wood surface and a stable layered core gives you authentic hardwood beauty without the limitations of solid wood. Here is why it comes out on top for most homeowners:
- It handles humidity and temperature changes better than solid hardwood
- It can be installed in more rooms, including basements and over radiant heat systems
- Wider and longer plank formats are available without the risk of warping
- It is available with protective finish technologies that extend the life of the floor
- Many options are compatible with waterproof technology for added peace of mind
According to the National Wood Flooring Association, engineered hardwood has become the dominant choice in new residential construction precisely because of its performance advantages in varied climate conditions, which makes it especially relevant here in Rapid City.
Choosing the Right Wood Species
Once you decide between solid and engineered, the next choice is wood species. Each species has its own look, hardness level, and character. Here is a breakdown of the most popular options we carry at Altimate Flooring.
Oak (Red and White)
Oak is the most popular hardwood species in North America, and for good reason. It has a beautiful, natural grain, comes in both red and white varieties, and sits at a solid mid-point on the hardness scale (around 1290 on the Janka hardness scale for red oak). It takes stain well and works with nearly any interior design style, from traditional to modern.
Hickory
Hickory is one of the hardest domestic wood species available, rating around 1820 on the Janka scale. It has dramatic grain variation and a rustic, high-contrast look that works especially well in farmhouse and cabin-style homes. If you have pets or kids and want maximum durability, hickory is worth considering.
Maple
Maple has a smooth, uniform grain and a lighter, more contemporary look. It is extremely hard (1450 on the Janka scale) and very resistant to denting. The trade-off is that maple does not absorb stain as evenly as oak, so it is typically used with lighter, more natural finishes.
Walnut
Walnut is a premium choice with rich, dark tones and a sophisticated appearance. It is softer than oak (around 1010 on the Janka scale), so it can show wear more easily over time, but many homeowners love the way it develops character and patina with age.
White Oak (Wide Plank)
White oak has surged in popularity over the last several years, particularly in wide-plank formats. It has a tighter, more uniform grain than red oak and takes gray and muted tones exceptionally well, which aligns perfectly with current interior design trends. If you are going for a modern or Scandinavian-inspired look, white oak is hard to beat.
Protective Finishes: Why They Matter
No matter which species or type you choose, the finish on your hardwood floor plays a major role in how long it looks good and how easy it is to maintain.
At Altimate Flooring, we carry hardwood products from leading brands including Mohawk, Mannington, MSI, and more.
Mohawk's TecWood line, for example, features TruFinish, a tough urethane coat with an ultra-matte look that lets the natural wood beauty come through while protecting against everyday wear.
For households that need more protection, Mohawk's UltraWood line includes EverLast technology, which offers four times greater scratch resistance and five times greater dent protection compared to standard finishes.
Here is what to look for when comparing finish options:
- Urethane finishes: The most common finish type, durable and easy to maintain
- Oil finishes: Penetrate the wood for a more natural, matte look but require more upkeep
- Aluminum oxide: Extremely hard-wearing, often used in commercial-grade products
- EverLast or similar reinforced technologies: Best for active households with pets and kids
Waterproof Engineered Hardwood: A Game Changer
One of the biggest developments in hardwood flooring over the last decade is waterproof engineered hardwood. Traditional hardwood, even engineered, has always had limitations around moisture exposure. That is no longer the case with newer technology.
Mohawk's UltraWood with WetProtect technology features a waterproof finish and watertight joints, protected by a lifetime surface and subfloor warranty. This means you can install genuine hardwood in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and basements where ordinary hardwood would not survive.
For homeowners in Rapid City and the surrounding Black Hills area, where basements are common and moisture management is always a consideration, waterproof engineered hardwood opens up a lot of possibilities.
Our flooring installation team can assess your specific subfloor and moisture conditions before making a recommendation.
Hardwood Flooring for Pet Owners
Pets and hardwood floors are not mutually exclusive. The key is choosing the right product and the right species. Here is what we tell pet owners who come into our Rapid City showroom:
- Choose a harder wood species like hickory or white oak to minimize visible scratching
- Look for reinforced finish technologies like EverLast that add dent and scratch resistance
- Consider Mohawk's UltraWood Plus with All Pet warranty, which covers all pets, all accidents, all the time
- CleanProtect antimicrobial technology, built into every plank, helps inhibit the growth of bacteria from pet accidents
- Keep pet nails trimmed and use rugs in high-traffic pet areas to extend the life of your floor
The Best Hardwood Flooring for South Dakota Homes
South Dakota winters are no joke. Rapid City and the surrounding Black Hills area experience significant temperature swings and humidity changes throughout the year. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, maintaining indoor humidity between 35% and 55% is essential for protecting hardwood floors from expanding, contracting, or warping. In our climate, that is not always easy to maintain without a whole-house humidifier.
For these reasons, engineered hardwood is almost always our recommendation for South Dakota homes. Its layered construction handles the seasonal movement much better than solid hardwood. If you do want solid hardwood, narrower plank widths (2.5 to 3.25 inches) are more forgiving than wide planks in variable climates.
If you are weighing hardwood against other hard flooring options, it is also worth reading our guide on carpet vs. hardwood flooring for Rapid City homeowners to see how both options compare across different rooms and lifestyles.
Hardwood Flooring Trends Worth Knowing in 2026
If you want your floors to feel current, here are the styles that are leading the market right now. These are the looks homeowners in Rapid City are asking for most often.
- Wide planks (5 to 9 inches): Give rooms a more open, expansive feel and work beautifully in open-plan layouts
- Light and natural tones: White oak and blonde hardwoods continue to trend strongly, pairing well with neutral interiors
- Matte finishes: High-gloss floors feel dated; matte and satin finishes give a more authentic, natural wood look
- Wire-brushed and hand-scraped textures: Add character and help hide scratches and everyday wear
- Gray tones: Still popular, especially in modern and contemporary interiors
Not sure which style fits your home? Stop by our showroom and take a few samples home with you. Seeing the floor in your own lighting and alongside your existing furniture makes a huge difference. You can also explore our hardwood catalog online to browse available options.
Why Choose Altimate Flooring for Your Hardwood Installation?
Altimate Flooring has been locally owned and operated in Rapid City since 1990, serving homeowners across the Black Hills region for over 35 years.
Our full range of flooring services includes everything from subfloor assessment and repair to professional hardwood installation, refinishing, and repairs. We work on both residential and commercial flooring projects.
Here is what you get when you work with us:
- Free on-site estimates and design advice
- Take-home samples to preview options in your own space and lighting
- Installation warranty for confidence and reliability
- Flexible financing through the Mohawk Credit Card
- Black Hills Home Builders Award winner for customer service
- Locally trusted for over 35 years
We serve Rapid City and nearby communities including Sturgis, Deadwood, Box Elder, Black Hawk, Summerset, Hermosa, Hill City, Keystone, Ellsworth AFB, and more.
Hardwood Flooring: FAQ
Engineered hardwood with a reinforced finish technology, such as Mohawk's UltraWood with EverLast, is the most durable option for most homes.
For the hardest wood species, hickory and maple top the list. If you have a very active household with kids and pets, combining a hard species with a reinforced finish gives you the best of both worlds.
Solid hardwood is not recommended for basements because of moisture risk. However, waterproof engineered hardwood, such as Mohawk's UltraWood with WetProtect, is specifically designed for below-grade installations.
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is another excellent basement option. Our team can assess your specific basement conditions and help you decide on the safest and most beautiful choice.
Hardwood flooring in Rapid City typically costs between $6 and $15 per square foot for materials, depending on the species and whether you choose solid or engineered.
Installation adds approximately $3 to $6 per square foot. Subfloor prep, removal of existing flooring, and furniture moving may add to the total. We offer free in-home estimates, so you will know exactly what to expect before committing to anything.
With proper care, solid hardwood can last 75 to 100 years or more since it can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Engineered hardwood typically lasts 25 to 50 years depending on the thickness of the hardwood veneer layer, with many options allowing for at least one or two refinishing cycles. Regular cleaning and humidity control are the biggest factors in extending the life of any hardwood floor.
Matte and satin urethane finishes are the easiest to maintain day to day because they hide minor scratches and dust better than high-gloss finishes. Products with EasyClean technology, like Mohawk's UltraWood line, also make routine cleaning faster by resisting soil and stains. For most busy households, we recommend a hard urethane finish with a low to mid sheen for the best balance of beauty and practicality.
Visit Altimate Flooring to Find the Right Hardwood for Your Home
Choosing the right type of hardwood flooring does not have to be overwhelming. The team at Altimate Flooring in Rapid City, SD is here to make it simple.
We carry premium hardwood products from Mohawk, Mannington, MSI, and more, and we will help you find the right species, finish, and format for your home and your budget.
Stop by our showroom at 1221 Oregon St, Rapid City, SD 57701, call us at (605) 307-5106, or reach out online to book your free in-home measurement. We bring samples to you so you can see exactly how each option looks in your space before making any decisions.
Browse our flooring products: carpet, hardwood, luxury vinyl, tile, and laminate.