Message us a photo of your room and we'll help you pick the right solid hardwood — real advice from our Markham showroom, no call centre, no pressure.
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BBS Flooring — Buying Guide 2026
Species comparison, grade explained, real pricing, and everything you need to choose the right solid hardwood for your home.
BBS Flooring carries 83 solid hardwood options from $5.10–$7.25/sqft. Four Canadian brands: Wickham, Appalachian, Sherwood Forest, and Northernest. ¾" thick solid planks that can be refinished 5–7 times. Professional nail-down installation from $2.25/sqft. Showroom: 6061 Hwy 7, Markham | (647) 428-1111 | bbsflooring.ca
Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like — a single piece of natural wood, milled to ¾" (19mm) thickness, with a tongue-and-groove profile for tight, gap-free installation. It's the original premium flooring that has been used in Canadian homes for over a century.
Unlike engineered hardwood (which has a thin wood veneer over plywood layers) or laminate/vinyl (which are synthetic), solid hardwood is real wood all the way through. This means it can be sanded and refinished 5–8 times over its lifetime — giving you 75–100+ years of use from a single installation.
Full Thickness
Every product at BBS is standard ¾" (19mm) solid throughout.
Refinishing Cycles
Sand and restain every 10–15 years to look brand new again.
Year Lifespan
The longest-lasting flooring you can buy. Period.
Highest Resale Value
Real estate agents rank hardwood as the #1 flooring for home value.
BBS Flooring carries four species of solid hardwood. Each has different hardness, grain character, and colour range. Here's how they compare:
| Species | Janka Hardness | Grain Character | Best For | Price at BBS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Oak | 1,360 lbf | Strong cathedral grain, golden-brown tones. Closed pores resist moisture better than red oak. | Living rooms, dining rooms, hallways. The modern standard — works with every design style. | $5.50–$7.25/sqft |
| Red Oak | 1,290 lbf | Prominent grain with warm pinkish-red undertones. Open pores absorb stain deeply. | Traditional and transitional homes. Canada's classic hardwood — more affordable than white oak. | $5.99–$6.99/sqft |
| Hard Maple | 1,450 lbf | Fine, uniform grain. Naturally light with creamy-white tones. Hardest domestic species. | High-traffic areas, households with kids/pets. Clean, contemporary aesthetic. | $5.10–$6.50/sqft |
| Hickory | 1,820 lbf | Wild, dramatic grain with extreme colour variation (cream to dark brown in the same plank). | Rustic, farmhouse, and cottage styles. The absolute toughest option for maximum durability. | $5.50–$6.99/sqft |
The three most popular species at BBS — Hard Maple, White Oak, and Red Oak — account for the vast majority of solid hardwood sales in the GTA. Here's what actually separates them in day-to-day life:
Grain Pattern
Fine, tight, and uniform — the most subtle grain of any domestic hardwood. Occasional bird's eye or curly figure in higher grades. Looks clean and contemporary.
Colour Range
Naturally light — creamy white to pale beige with occasional pinkish tones in the heartwood. Accepts stain well but many homeowners prefer it natural for the bright, airy look.
Ideal Rooms & Styles
High-traffic hallways, family rooms, and homes with kids or pets. Pairs with Scandinavian, modern, and contemporary interiors. BBS entry point: Fraser Northernest Maple — $5.10/sqft.
Grain Pattern
Prominent cathedral and straight grain with characteristic medullary rays — the subtle flecks that are the signature of oak. More refined than red oak; the grain feels intentional, not wild.
Colour Range
Warm golden-brown with grey undertones. Closed pores give a smoother finish. Takes wire-brushed and matte finishes exceptionally well — which is why it dominates designer projects in 2026.
Ideal Rooms & Styles
Living rooms, open-concept main floors, dining rooms. Works with literally every design style — modern, transitional, traditional, farmhouse. The safest choice if you're unsure. Browse our solid hardwood collection.
Grain Pattern
Bold, open grain with prominent rays and a more dramatic figure than white oak. The open pores absorb stain deeply and evenly — red oak takes colour beautifully, making it ideal for custom stain projects.
Colour Range
Warm pinkish-red to medium brown tones. The pink undertones disappear significantly with darker stains. Natural red oak has a warm, rich glow that works well with traditional finishes like provincial or dark walnut stain.
Ideal Rooms & Styles
Traditional, colonial, and transitional homes. If you're matching existing red oak floors elsewhere in the house, this is your species. The most affordable species for staining to a custom colour. See Sherwood Uptown options from $6.99/sqft.
Quick decision guide: Want something light & durable? → Hard Maple. Want something versatile & on-trend? → White Oak. Want to match existing floors or stain to a custom colour? → Red Oak. Still unsure? Book a free in-home consultation — we'll bring samples.
Hardwood “grades” describe the appearance of the wood — not the quality or durability. All grades come from the same tree and are equally strong. The difference is how many natural characteristics (knots, mineral streaks, colour variation) are present.
Minimal knots, consistent colour, uniform grain. The “formal” grade — popular in contemporary and minimalist interiors where you want the wood to have a refined, even appearance. Typically 10–15% more expensive than Select.
Some natural colour variation and small character marks. The middle ground — natural enough to have warmth and personality, but controlled enough to look intentional. The most versatile grade for any home style.
Full range of natural features — knots, mineral streaks, sapwood, colour variation. This is the grade trending hardest in 2026 because homeowners want floors that look real and authentic, not like a factory showroom. Character grade pairs beautifully with modern, farmhouse, Scandinavian, and transitional design.
Want a deeper dive? See our Complete Grade Guide with visual examples.
This is the #1 question homeowners ask. Both are real wood. Both look identical when installed. The differences are structural:
| Factor | Solid Hardwood | Engineered Hardwood |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Single piece of wood, ¾" thick | Wood veneer (2–6mm) over plywood/HDF core |
| Refinishing | 5–8 times | 1–3 times (depends on veneer thickness) |
| Lifespan | 75–100+ years | 25–50 years |
| Basement install | ❌ Not recommended | ✔ Yes |
| Over concrete | ❌ No | ✔ Yes (glue-down) |
| Over radiant heat | ❌ Not recommended | ✔ Yes (most products) |
| Humidity tolerance | Requires controlled humidity (35–55% RH). Expands/contracts seasonally. | More stable. Cross-ply layers resist movement. |
| Resale value | Highest of any flooring | High (perceived as equivalent by most buyers) |
| Price at BBS | $5.10–$7.25/sqft | $2.49–$8.99/sqft |
| Installation | Nail-down only (plywood subfloor) | Nail, glue, or float |
BBS Flooring carries solid hardwood from four Canadian-market brands. All are ¾" thick, tongue-and-groove, and come pre-finished (no on-site sanding needed).
31 options · Made in Quebec
The premium choice. Wickham is a Quebec manufacturer with 60+ years of experience. Known for thick, durable UV-cured aluminum oxide finishes that resist scratching and wear. Available in white oak, red oak, and hard maple with multiple stain colours and all three grades (AB, ABC, ABCD). The widest selection at BBS.
Featured product: Natural Wickham Solid Maple — $7.25/sqft
16 options · Canadian distributor
Red oak and white oak options with strong colour selections. Sherwood Forest offers competitive pricing in the mid-premium range with reliable pre-finished products. A solid choice for homeowners who want Canadian-sourced hardwood without the top-tier price tag.
Featured product: Natural Sherwood Uptown Maple — $6.99/sqft
18 options · Made in Quebec
Appalachian (Sunshiny International) specializes in red oak and hard maple. Known for consistent quality and tight pricing — the narrowest price range in our lineup. Excellent for buyers who want a trusted Quebec manufacturer at a predictable price point. Available in maple and red oak with 10+ stain colours.
18 options · Value leader
The most affordable entry point for solid hardwood. Northernest maple starts at just $5.10/sqft — the lowest price for genuine ¾" solid hardwood in the GTA. Available in hard maple and white oak with Select (ABC) and Character (ABCD) grades. Great for large-area projects where budget matters.
Featured product: Fraser Northernest 4¾" Maple — $5.10/sqft
Real numbers from BBS Flooring in Markham. No hidden fees, no “call for pricing” games.
| Cost Component | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Material (solid hardwood) | $5.10–$7.25/sqft | Depends on species, brand, and grade |
| Installation (nail-down) | $3.50/sqft | Standard solid hardwood nail-down rate at BBS |
| Old flooring removal | $1.00–$1.50/sqft | $1.00 carpet, $1.25 vinyl, $1.50 hardwood |
| Baseboards & trim | $2.50/linear ft | Remove & reinstall, or new baseboards |
| Stair installation | $185–$225/stair | Recap (straight $185, specialty $225) — see stair services |
| Waste factor | +5–10% | Always order 5% extra (10% for diagonal layouts) |
Use our Quote Calculator for an instant estimate based on your exact room size and flooring choice. Or book a free in-home measurement for the most accurate quote.
Solid hardwood is installed by nailing (or stapling) each plank through the tongue into a plywood subfloor. This is the most secure method and has been the standard for over a century.
Old flooring is removed, the subfloor is inspected for damage, flatness is checked (within 3/16" over 10 ft), and any repairs are completed. Plywood or OSB subfloor required — solid hardwood cannot go over concrete.
Moisture meter readings on both the wood and the subfloor. The difference must be within 2–4% depending on species. If the wood hasn't acclimated (3–7 days in your home), we wait. Rushing this step causes cupping and gaps.
Each plank is blind-nailed through the tongue using a pneumatic nailer. This locks the floor to the subfloor with zero movement. Expansion gaps are left at walls (hidden by baseboards). Planks are racked from multiple boxes to randomize grain and colour.
T-moulds at doorways, reducers where floor height changes, and baseboards are installed. We carry coordinating trim for all products. Most projects wrap up same-day after nailing is complete.
Questions about the process? Read our detailed installation guide or book a free in-home visit— we'll walk through the whole project with you.
The single biggest advantage solid hardwood has over every other flooring type is its refinishing potential. Because the boards are ¾" of solid wood, there's enough material to sand and re-coat the surface 5–10 times over the floor's lifetime — each time removing scratches, stains, and wear, and leaving a fresh surface that looks brand new.
¾"
Solid Wood Thickness
~19mm of real wood above the subfloor
5–10×
Refinishing Cycles
Each sand removes only 1–2mm of wood
100+
Year Total Lifespan
If refinished every 10–15 years
→ Finish is worn through in high-traffic areas (hallways, entryways, under chairs) — bare wood is visible
→ Deep scratches that can't be buffed out with a maintenance coat
→ You want to change the stain colour entirely (e.g., going from golden oak to dark walnut)
→ Water damage has caused surface grey staining (if caught before deep penetration)
→ The floor has significant UV fade or uneven colouring between rooms
| Method | What It Fixes | Wood Removed | Can Change Colour? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen & Recoat | Light surface scratches, dull finish, minor wear | Minimal (finish layer only) | No |
| Full Sand & Refinish | Deep scratches, stains, worn-through finish, colour change | 1–2mm of wood surface | Yes |
BBS provides professional hardwood refinishing in the Markham and GTA area. See our hardwood refinishing service → — pricing, process, and before/after examples.
Solid hardwood is the best flooring in the world — for the right application. There are four situations where it's the wrong choice, and using it anyway will cost you:
Below-grade means the floor is at or below ground level. Concrete slabs below grade are constantly releasing moisture vapour upward — even if the basement feels dry. Solid hardwood is sensitive to moisture and will cup, buckle, or warp within months. Use engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl instead. BBS carries engineered hardwood from $3.19/sqftthat's specifically rated for below-grade installs.
Solid hardwood must be nailed or stapled into a plywood or OSB subfloor. You cannot nail into concrete. Even with a plywood sleeper system, moisture migration from concrete creates too much risk for solid wood. Engineered hardwood can be glued directly to concrete — a much safer and more reliable installation. Our engineered hardwood collection includes glue-down options from $3.89/sqft.
Bathrooms have standing water, high humidity spikes, and condensation risks that solid hardwood cannot handle. Solid hardwood requires controlled humidity (35–55% RH) to remain stable — bathroom conditions routinely exceed this range. Waterproof luxury vinyl or porcelain tile is the correct choice for bathrooms and laundry rooms. No hardwood — solid or engineered — belongs in a bathroom.
Radiant heat systems cycle between hot and cool, causing wood to expand and contract repeatedly — at a rate solid hardwood cannot handle without gapping and cracking. The consistent directional heat also dries out the wood faster than ambient humidity control can compensate. Engineered hardwood is specifically engineered for radiant heat applications because its cross-ply construction resists seasonal movement. Check the manufacturer spec sheet before installing any hardwood over radiant heat.
| Room | Solid Hardwood? | Why / Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Living Room | ✔ Ideal | The showcase room. Solid hardwood maximizes resale and visual impact. Browse all solid hardwood options → |
| Bedrooms | ✔ Excellent | Low traffic, warm feel. Maple and oak both work beautifully. |
| Hallways | ✔ Great | High traffic — choose hickory or hard maple for extra hardness. |
| Kitchen | ⚠ Possible | Works if you clean spills fast. Many GTA homes have hardwood kitchens. Solid hardwood is sensitive to moisture — if worried about water, consider vinyl. |
| Dining Room | ✔ Ideal | Use chair leg pads. Solid hardwood makes dining rooms feel elegant. |
| Basement | ✘ No | Below-grade moisture will damage solid wood. Use vinyl or engineered hardwood. |
| Bathroom | ✘ No | Too much standing water risk. Solid hardwood requires controlled humidity (35–55% RH) — bathrooms exceed this regularly. Use waterproof vinyl instead. |
| Stairs | ✔ Excellent | Hardwood stairs are the gold standard. More durable than carpet, more impressive than vinyl. See our stair renovation service → |
At BBS Flooring in Markham, solid hardwood ranges from $5.10–$7.25/sqft for material. Installation adds $3.50/sqft (nail-down). For a typical 500 sqft project, total installed cost is approximately $4,300–$5,875 before flooring removal.
Solid hardwood is a single piece of wood (¾" thick) that can be refinished 5–10 times. Engineered has a wood veneer over plywood — more stable but refinishable only 1–3 times. Solid is the premium choice for main floors; engineered is better for basements and over concrete.
Solid hardwood lasts 75–100+ years with proper maintenance. The ¾" thickness allows 5–10 refinishing cycles over the floor's lifetime. Many century-old Toronto homes still have original solid hardwood floors.
No. Solid hardwood should never go below grade — moisture from concrete causes cupping, buckling, and warping. Solid hardwood requires controlled humidity (35–55% RH) that below-grade environments cannot provide. Use engineered hardwood (from $3.19/sqft) or vinyl for basements.
White oak (Janka 1360) is the 2026 designer standard — hard, beautiful, versatile. Hard maple (1450) is the toughest domestic species. Red oak is the classic budget choice. Hickory (1820) is for maximum durability.
Grades describe appearance, not quality. Select & Better (AB) = minimal knots, uniform. Select (ABC) = some character marks. Character (ABCD) = full natural variation — the most popular grade in 2026.
Sweep weekly, damp-mop monthly with hardwood cleaner, keep humidity at 35–55%, use felt pads under furniture. Never steam mop, never use vinegar or all-purpose cleaners, avoid rubber-backed mats.
Typically every 10–15 years for heavily used floors, or every 20–25 years for bedrooms and low-traffic areas. A screen-and-recoat (lighter process) can be done every 5–7 years to maintain the finish before a full sand is needed. Solid hardwood's ¾" thickness allows 5–10 full refinishing cycles.
Yes. Real estate professionals consistently rank hardwood as the #1 flooring for resale value. Solid hardwood commands a premium over engineered, vinyl, and laminate in the GTA market.
A standard 500 sqft room takes 2–3 days including subfloor prep. Acclimation (3–7 days before install) is separate. Larger projects scale proportionally. BBS handles everything in one visit — removal, prep, install, baseboards.
Wickham (31 options, $5.50–$7.25), Appalachian (18, $5.99–$6.39), Northernest (18, $5.10–$6.50), and Sherwood Forest (16, $5.99–$6.99). All are ¾" thick, pre-finished, tongue-and-groove. Visit our Markham showroom.
Samples look different on a screen. Visit our Markham showroom to feel the grain, compare grades, and get a free, no-obligation quote for your project.