Are You Overwhelmed by Hardwood Flooring Options? Here’s What You Need to Know
Hardwood flooring options have never been more varied, more beautiful, or more practical for Canadian homes. Whether you are renovating a busy family living room, updating a basement suite, or refreshing a rental property, the right floor can completely transform a space.
Here is a quick overview of the main engineered hardwood flooring options available at King of Floors:
| Category | Options Available |
|---|---|
| Species | Maple, Oak, Hickory, Walnut, Ash |
| Colour Range | Light, Medium, Dark |
| Surface Texture | Brushed, Smooth, Distressed |
| Plank Width | Standard to wide plank (up to 7 1/2″) |
| Installation | Tongue and groove (T&G), floating |
| Best For | High-traffic areas, moisture-prone rooms, radiant heat |
At King of Floors, every hardwood floor in our range is engineered hardwood, which means you get the warmth and authenticity of real wood with added dimensional stability that holds up beautifully in Canada’s variable climate. Over 54% of home hunters say they would pay more for a home with hardwood floors, and adding hardwood can increase your resale value by up to 2.5%. That is a meaningful return on a purchase you will love every single day.
This guide walks you through everything: species, colours, textures, best sellers, maintenance, and cost, so you can walk into your next renovation feeling confident rather than overwhelmed.
I’m Lesley Upton, Inventory Control Manager at King of Floors, and after more than a decade of sourcing engineered hardwood from factories around the world, I have helped hundreds of homeowners navigate their hardwood flooring options to find a floor they are genuinely proud of. Let’s find yours.
Understanding Your Hardwood Flooring Options: The Engineered Advantage
When people talk about hardwood flooring options, they often confuse “engineered” with “imitation.” Let us clear that up right away: engineered hardwood is 100% real wood. The difference lies in the construction. While a solid plank is one single piece of timber, engineered hardwood consists of a real wood veneer (the “wear layer”) bonded to a high-quality plywood or HDF core.
This multi-layer construction is exactly why we believe it is the superior choice for homes in Surrey and across British Columbia. Solid wood tends to expand and contract significantly with changes in humidity. In our coastal climate, that can lead to cupping or gaps. Engineered hardwood, however, offers incredible dimensional stability. The layers are stacked in a cross-grain configuration, which cancels out the natural tendency of wood to swell or shrink.
Stability and Performance
Because of this stability, engineered hardwood is one of the few hardwood flooring options that is compatible with radiant heating systems. It also offers better moisture resistance than traditional solid planks, making it a safer bet for kitchens or even well-ventilated bathrooms.
To understand durability, we look at the Janka hardness scale. This test measures the force required to embed a small steel ball into the wood. The higher the number, the harder the wood. For example, Hickory sits at 1,820, while Red Oak is around 1,290. Knowing these numbers helps us guide you toward the right species for your lifestyle. If you have large dogs or a house full of energetic kids, a harder species like Hickory or a densified Maple will be your best friend.
For a deeper dive into how these floors are made, check out our engineered hardwood ultimate guide.
Choosing the Right Species for Hardwood Flooring Options
Selecting a wood species is about more than just a name; it is about the “personality” of the wood and how it performs under pressure. At King of Floors, we focus on species that offer the best balance of beauty and resilience.
- Maple: Known for its closed grain and uniform look, Maple is a Canadian classic. It is incredibly durable and lends itself well to modern, clean designs.
- Oak: Whether it is Red or White Oak, this species is the “gold standard” of hardwood flooring options. It has a prominent grain that hides small scratches well and takes stains beautifully.
- Hickory: If you want a floor with a story to tell, Hickory is for you. It features bold colour variations and dramatic grain patterns. It is also one of the hardest domestic woods available.
- Walnut: For sheer luxury, Walnut is tough to beat. It features rich, dark tones and elegant flowing grains. While slightly softer than Oak, its deep colour is excellent at hiding the occasional minor dent.
- Ash: This species is incredibly resilient and offers a grain pattern similar to Oak but often with a bit more “movement” and character.
For those looking to maximize their budget, we recommend reading the smart buyer’s guide to wholesale engineered hardwood to see how species choice impacts overall project costs.
Top-Rated Hardwood Flooring Options for Canadian Homes
Trends in Canadian flooring have shifted toward “airy and organic.” Light tones like ash, natural maple, and white oak are currently dominating the market. These shades make smaller rooms feel larger and do a fantastic job of hiding dust and pet hair—a practical win for any homeowner.
Medium tones provide a timeless warmth that never goes out of style, while dark drama (think espresso or charcoal finishes) remains a favourite for formal dining rooms and high-end custom builds.
One of the most significant trends we have seen at our Surrey showroom is the move toward wide-plank flooring. Standard planks used to be 3 to 5 inches wide, but today’s “wide planks” reach 7 1/2 inches or more. Fewer seams mean a cleaner, more expansive look that highlights the natural beauty of the wood grain.
You can find more about these trends in our comprehensive guide to top engineered wood flooring.
Best-Selling Engineered Hardwood Collections
We take pride in being direct importers, which allows us to offer premium collections at factory-direct prices. Here are four of our absolute best-sellers that our customers can’t get enough of:
1. 190mm Astoria Maple Distressed
This is a showstopper for anyone wanting a rustic yet sophisticated look. The Astoria colour provides a warm, inviting backdrop for any room.
- Specs: 9/16″ (14mm) thickness, 7 1/2″ (190mm) width.
- Details: Features a distressed surface that hides daily wear and tear. Comes in random lengths for a natural, authentic installation.
- Coverage: 31.09 sqft/box.
- View Astoria Maple
2. 190mm Tofino Maple Distressed
Inspired by the rugged beauty of the BC coast, the Tofino Maple offers a slightly different tonal profile while maintaining that durable distressed finish.
- Specs: 9/16″ (14mm) thickness, 7 1/2″ (190mm) width.
- Details: Random length planks with a traditional Tongue and Groove (T&G) system.
- Coverage: 31.09 sqft/box.
- View Tofino Maple
3. 190mm Natural Maple Distressed
For those who love the raw, organic look of wood, the Natural Maple is the perfect choice. It brings the bright, clean energy of the outdoors inside.
- Specs: 9/16″ (14mm) thickness, 7 1/2″ (190mm) width.
- Details: The distressed surface means you don’t have to panic every time a toy is dropped or a pet runs across the floor.
- Coverage: 31.09 sqft/box.
- View Natural Maple
4. 189mm Chalet Blanc Oak Brushed
If you prefer the classic elegance of Oak, the Chalet Blanc is a masterpiece. The “brushed” finish gives the floor a tactile, textured feel that is incredibly popular in modern farmhouse designs.
- Specs: 9/16″ (14mm) thickness, 7 7/16″ (189mm) width.
- Details: A beautiful Oak species with a refined brushed surface.
- Coverage: 30.27 sqft/box.
- View Chalet Blanc Oak
Selecting the Perfect Colour and Texture for Your Space
The “feel” of a floor is just as important as its colour. When exploring hardwood flooring options, the surface texture will dictate how the floor reflects light and how it hides (or highlights) life’s little accidents.
- Brushed Finish: Using wire brushes to remove the softer springwood, this texture leaves the harder grain patterns exposed. It creates a matte, textured look that is excellent for hiding scratches and footprints.
- Smooth Surface: This is the classic, polished look. It is sleek and sophisticated, though it does tend to show dust and scratches more readily than textured options.
- Distressed Texture: This involves intentional marks, scrapes, and knots to give the floor an aged, “lived-in” appearance. To learn why this is a favourite for families, read why you should choose distressed engineered hardwood.
The Impact of Light and Orientation
Before you commit to a colour, take a sample home. A dark walnut floor might look stunning in our bright Surrey showroom but could make a small, north-facing room feel like a cave. Conversely, a very light maple might look washed out in a room with massive south-facing windows. Always view your samples at different times of the day—morning, noon, and night—to see how the undertones change under artificial and natural light.
Durability and Maintenance for Busy Canadian Households
We often get asked: “Can these floors handle my lifestyle?” Whether you have a busy household or a high-traffic office, engineered hardwood is built to last.
One of the ways we measure durability is through AC ratings (Abrasion Class). While originally designed for laminate, many high-performance engineered floors are now tested against similar standards. At King of Floors, we carry products ranging from AC1 all the way up to AC6, the highest level of wear resistance available.
Maintenance Protocols
Maintaining your floors is simpler than you might think.
- Sweep or Vacuum Daily: Use a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum with the beater bar turned off. Dust and grit act like sandpaper underfoot, so removing them is your best defense against scratches.
- Clean Spills Immediately: While engineered wood is moisture-resistant, it is not a fan of standing water.
- Use Nontoxic Cleaners: Avoid steam mops and harsh chemicals. A damp (not dripping) microfiber mop with a manufacturer-recommended cleaner is all you need.
- Protect the Finish: Use felt pads under furniture legs and area rugs in high-traffic zones.
For more room-specific advice, such as are hardwood floors good in the kitchen?, we have plenty of resources to help you make the right call.
Frequently Asked Questions about Engineered Hardwood
Can engineered hardwood be used in moisture-prone areas?
Yes! Thanks to its stable plywood core, engineered hardwood is far more resilient in moisture-prone areas than solid wood. It is a fantastic choice for kitchens and basements. However, for bathrooms, we recommend only specific waterproof engineered lines. For more details, see our guide: can you use engineered wood flooring in a bathroom?.
How much does engineered hardwood cost?
In Canada, you can generally expect to pay between $4.00 and $9.00 CAD per square foot for quality engineered hardwood materials. Installation costs are additional. Because we are direct importers, we often have “King-sized” deals that fall below these averages. For a full breakdown, visit our engineered hardwood cost complete guide. Further discounts may be available, please call for details.
How do I maintain the finish on my new floors?
The best way to maintain the finish is prevention. Use window coverings to protect the wood from excessive UV exposure, which can cause fading or “suntanning” over time. Regularly rotating your area rugs can also help the floor age evenly. For a full checklist, read things to know before buying engineered flooring.
There Is Only One King of Floors
Choosing the right hardwood flooring options is a big decision, but you don’t have to make it alone. Since 1984, our family-owned business has been helping Canadians find the perfect foundation for their homes.
We don’t just sell flooring; we stock it. Our 85,000-square-foot facility in Surrey has over 10 million square feet of flooring in stock at any given time. Because we are direct importers, we cut out the middleman to bring you unbeatable value and “bang for your buck.”
We invite you to come and see the difference for yourself. Walk on the samples, feel the textures, and talk to our expert staff. We offer a 90-day full refund policy on all stocked items because we want you to be 100% confident in your choice.
Visit our Surrey showroom today at 15350 56 Ave, Surrey, BC, or browse our hardwood flooring options online. We are worth the drive!