Looking for the best hardwood flooring brand around? You’re not alone. Finding the right company to buy from is a time-consuming process, and it’s a step that most people don’t even think about when they start their floor-buying journey.
So, how do you know which brands are the best? Which brands are known for quality, and which brands are known for cheap schlock?
Worry not cause we’re here to answer all of those questions and more. Below, we’re going to give you an honest look at the top 5 brands out there.
We’re going to talk about their products, their specialties, and their reviews. Basically, we’re going to help you make the correct choice!
#1 Doma
For those seeking to make a bold design statement with their floors, Doma’s solid hardwood collection delivers fashion-forward styles without compromising on quality. True to their motto, “Where Fashion Meets Flooring,” Doma brings runway inspiration to your home with their carefully created selection of solid hardwood options.
Their solid hardwood collection stands out with its 3/4″ thick planks, manufactured right here in the USA.
With such plank thickness, these floors aren’t just about looks; they offer top-of-the-line durability and a lifetime that measures in decades due to the possibility of multiple refinishes.
Doma’s Style-First Approach to Solid Hardwood
The solid hardwood collection proves Doma’s design expertise through its diverse range of species and finishes. Dark woods create dramatic spaces, while light options brighten rooms. Each floor serves as a statement piece in its own right.
With beautiful, refined styles inspired by the forest, the Sophisticated Timbers collection is equal parts elegant and bold. Each Sophisticated timber plank is solid wood throughout and features a smooth finish that is as stylish as it is robust.
Where Performance Meets Style
Doma combines aesthetics with performance in its solid hardwood offerings. Each plank must meet rigorous quality standards to ensure reliable performance over time.
The aluminum oxide finish adds a protective layer that maintains the floor’s beauty and resists daily wear. This focus on durability doesn’t detract from style – each collection upholds Doma’s signature fashion-forward approach. Doma solid hardwood features include:
- 3/4″ thick planks for maximum durability
- Multiple refinishing potential
- Aluminum oxide wear layer for enhanced scratch resistance
- FloorScore certified for healthy indoor air
- Made in USA quality control
- Suitable for both residential and commercial installations
If you want to experience these features at an affordable price point, the Homestead Root collection presents a compelling case for taking the best out of the world of practicality and style at attractive price point:
The Homestead Roots collection features hand-scraped texturing for a stylish yet timeless appearance. Composed of warmly bold amber and chocolate tones, these floors are made of solid wood throughout and are sure to make a bold statement.
The Homestead Roots collection is FloorScore-certified, made in the USA, and ideal for both residential and commercial spaces.
Doma offers convenient sample ordering for customers who want to see these floors in their space. Because solid hardwood represents a significant investment, we recommend this option to ensure a perfect match for your home’s style.
#2 Proximity Mills
Proximity Mills
For those who need high performance, low VOC floors that can stand up to whatever life throws at them.
Proximity Mills
For those who need high performance, low VOC floors that can stand up to whatever life throws at them.
Proximity Mills specializes in engineered hardwood flooring, offering two primary types: Waterproof Hardwood and High-Density Hardwood.
Their Waterproof Hardwood features a waterproof core and coated wood veneer, ensuring protection from moisture for up to 72 hours.
The High-Density Hardwood is crafted from durable species like Peruvian teak and strand-woven Moso bamboo, providing enhanced dent resistance. All their hardwood floors are low-VOC certified and responsibly sourced, aligning with eco-friendly practices. These engineered hardwoods are designed to withstand daily wear, making them suitable for various residential settings.
High-Performance Flooring at Reasonable Prices
Proximity Mills was founded with the mission to provide high-performance flooring at reasonable prices. They are characterized by their commitment to simplicity and quality.
As they are oriented towards affordability, they put a lot of consideration into who gets to sell their products, and that is why you can’t find proximity mill flooring at big retailers; they avoid the middleman to offer direct savings to the consumer.
While technically not 100% solid hardwood, Proximity Mills engineered hardwood is built to offer the beauty of real hardwood, with a top layer made of natural wood and the performance of synthetic material with a water-resistant core.
The Ethereal collection offers four brilliant bamboo flooring options that truly showcase the overall performance of Proximity Mills hardwood.
This collection is available in a wide range of light and dark colors, all of which boast unique bamboo grain patterns. The Ethereal collection boasts high-density cores for extra durability and compression resistance and can be installed using either a nail-down or glue-down installation method.
Everything You Need from Hardwood Flooring
Proximity Mills Engineered Hardwood Flooring Features:
- Waterproof Capabilities: Certain collections offer waterproof cores and coated veneers, providing protection against moisture for up to 72 hours.
- High-Density Construction: Utilizes durable species like Peruvian teak and strand-woven Moso bamboo, enhancing dent resistance and longevity.
- Low-VOC Certification: Floors are certified for low volatile organic compound emissions, promoting healthier indoor air quality.
- Sustainable Sourcing: Materials are responsibly sourced, aligning with eco-friendly practices.
- Versatile Installation: Suitable for various installation methods, including floating, glue-down, nail-down, and staple-down techniques.
- Pet-Friendly Design: Engineered to withstand daily wear, making them ideal for homes with pets.
If you want to experience the best out-of-proximity mills at a reasonable price point, the Driftwood Collection stands at a sweet spot of quality and affordability. It features waterproof engineered hardwood with a range of warm colors and wood textures, ensuring durability and aesthetic appeal.
Driftwood Home is a stunning example of the natural beauty of waterproof hardwood flooring. This collection offers a full spectrum of warm colors and stunning wood textures, with the added benefit of waterproofing for additional peace of mind and pet-friendliness.
It also features a floating installation that makes installing Driftwood Home simple and straightforward.
Proximity Mills proves that you don’t need to choose between looks and practicality. Through their direct-to-consumer model and focus on essential features rather than marketing extras, they’ve created flooring that stands up to real-life demands while remaining accessible to budget-conscious homeowners. You can get your hands on a sample for $3 and check Proximity Mills hardwood quality yourself.
#3 Paradiso
Another brand that specializes in making engineered hardwood is Paradiso, but they tend to focus on the luxury segment of the market. Their commitment to quality materials and distinctive manufacturing processes sets them apart in the premium flooring sector.
Paradiso is a luxury flooring brand focusing on providing “innovation, quality, and attention to detail.”
All Paradiso hardwood offerings are engineered, and they come in 9/16” or 5/8″-thick planks, which are incredibly sturdy compared to the 3/8″ thick planks that most hardwood flooring brands offer.
They also feature a generous 3mm veneer layer that translates to floors that can be refinished if needed, adding significant value over time.
Premium Construction for Lasting Beauty
What makes Paradiso unique is their approach to wood treatment and finishing. Instead of surface-level staining, they use thermal coloration techniques that ensure consistent color throughout the veneer layer. This means deep scratches won’t reveal differently colored wood underneath – a practical advantage for long-term wear.
The Montesilvano collection exemplifies their premium approach:
This collection features beautiful European Oak in a gorgeous variety of natural, timeless hues. Captivating wide planks are complemented perfectly by a luxurious natural oil finish and hand-scraped or brushed surfacing. The Montesilvano collection is sustainably sourced and FloorScore-certified as low-VOC.
Built for Generations
While the engineered hardwood’s main disadvantage over solid hardwood is that it cannot be refinished so many times, that is not the case with Paradiso.
The veneer layers are made with flat-sawn planks (which, again, gives hardwood that extra character and durability), but instead of staining the top of their veneers with a surface-only solution, Paradiso uses special thermal coloration techniques that make the veneer layer the same color throughout. Because of this color consistency, any deep scratches or gouges will not be noticeable.
Paradiso hardwood features:
- 9/16″ or 5/8″ total thickness
- 3mm wear layer for refinishing potential
- Thermal coloration throughout the veneer layer
- Natural oil finish on most collections
- FloorScore certified for low VOC emissions
- Multiple installation options (glue-down, nail-down, staple-down, floating)
- Sustainable wood sourcing
For an optimal balance between price and quality, consider Paradiso’s Woodland Enterprise collection:
The Woodland Enterprise collection boasts gorgeous White Oak wood grains in an array of timeless yet stylish hues. Wide planks emphasize each detail of these luxurious hardwoods, all of which are sustainably sourced.
The natural oil finish on Paradiso floors offers a significant advantage. Unlike polyurethane-finished floors that require complete refinishing, these floors need only occasional (every five years approximately) oil treatment to maintain their beauty. With proper care, they can last for generations.
Paradiso has earned a place among the best hardwood flooring brands through their focus on premium materials and meticulous manufacturing processes. While their price point places them in the luxury category, their engineering choices and construction quality justify the investment for those seeking exceptional hardwood floors.
#4 Newton
Newton stands out in the engineered hardwood market as a brand that focuses on delivering quality at budget-friendly prices. Their approach is refreshingly simple: well-constructed, American-sourced hardwood floors without unnecessary premium features that drive up costs.
While other brands might charge premium prices for similar specifications, Newton keeps their prices between $4.50 and $7.00 per square foot. This competitive pricing doesn’t come at the expense of quality – all their products meet high manufacturing standards and comply with the Lacey Act for responsible wood sourcing.
American-Made Quality at Value Prices
Newton’s engineered hardwood line includes more than 40 options across various domestic species. Their collections feature oak, hickory, maple, and birch in both traditional and contemporary styles.
For a balance of quality and affordability, around $6 per square foot, consider Newton’s Fairfield Point collection. This engineered hardwood line features domestically sourced oak, available in both 3″ and 5″ plank widths, and offers a variety of finishes to suit different design preferences.
The Fairfield Point collection boasts a striking Red Oak wood grain that’s as eye-catching as it is tasteful. All Fairfield Point hardwoods are made right here in the USA, sustainably sourced, and FloorScore-certified as low in VOCs.
Another excellent value option from Newton is the Hilltop Path collection. This engineered hardwood line features hickory planks with a rustic hand-scraped finish, offering a timeless aesthetic that complements both modern and classic interiors.
The Hilltop Path collection boasts gorgeous Hickory wood grain, complemented with a rustic hand-scraped finish. The result is timeless and suits modern and classic styles equally well.
Hilltop Path collections are also competitively priced at around $6 per square foot, which makes Newton a go-to option for budget hardwood flooring. No other manufacturer can compete with their hardwood prices!
Essential Features Without the Premium Price
Newton might not offer all the bells and whistles of some of the other best hardwood flooring brands (they don’t carry waterproof hardwood flooring, for example), but they do offer budget-friendly floors that are excellently constructed.
Newton hardwood provides all the essential features:
- Domestically sourced wood species
- Available in 3″ and 5″ widths
- FloorScore certified for low VOC emissions
- Multiple installation methods (floating, glue-down, nail-down)
- Lacey Act-compliant sourcing
- Engineered construction for enhanced stability
- Competitive price point ($4.50-$7.00 per square foot)
Seriously, some competitors offer almost the exact same floors at almost double the price.
It’s safe to say we recommend Newton as one of the best budget flooring brands around, and you can click here to browse their full hardwood selection.
#5 Liberty Home
Liberty Home has built its reputation on engineered hardwood that combines durability with modern design features. Their collections range from 3/8″ to 3/4″ in thickness, offering substantial options for different installation needs and subfloor conditions.
Their approach to hardwood focuses on practical innovations that matter in real homes. The inclusion of ScratchShield technology and antimicrobial protection shows their understanding of what today’s homeowners need from their floors.
Style Meets Modern Technology
Liberty Home’s collections showcase their expertise in contemporary finishes. Their wire-brushed matte finishes serve two purposes – they create an appealing, timeworn appearance and help mask daily wear and tear.
Liberty Home’s Eastport and Seaspan collections exemplify their expertise in contemporary finishes, particularly with wire-brushed matte surfaces.
Healthy Home Innovation
Liberty Home demonstrates that engineered hardwood can evolve beyond traditional expectations. Their combination of classic wood species, modern finishing techniques, and innovative protection features creates floors that work well in today’s active homes.
Liberty Home offers a set of features that are especially focused on healthy living:
- Antimicrobial technology built into the finish
- ScratchShield protection for pet and kid resistance
- Low VOC emissions for better indoor air
- Sustainably sourced materials
- Durable construction from 3/8″ to 3/4″ thickness
- Wire-brushed finishes for wear resistance
- Wide and long planks for modern aesthetics
The antimicrobial protection deserves special attention. Unlike standard hardwood finishes, Liberty Home’s technology actively works to maintain a cleaner surface. This feature proves especially valuable in homes with children, pets, or anyone concerned about maintaining a healthy environment.
You can order a sample for $3 and test Liberty Home hardwood yourself.
Conclusion
These top 5 hardwood flooring brands each bring something unique to the market. Doma leads with fashion-forward designs, Proximity Mills delivers high-performance features at reasonable prices, and Paradiso excels in luxury engineering.
Newton proves that quality hardwood doesn’t need to break the bank, while Liberty Home innovates with health-focused technology.
Whether you prioritize style, durability, value, or healthy living features, these brands offer reliable options for every need and budget. Remember to order samples before making your final decision – it’s the best way to ensure your chosen floor meets your expectations.
About The Author
Kimberly Severance
November 8, 2024
Best known as a therapeutic horseback riding instructor and mom to a 3-year old sassy dachshund, Kim enjoys writing and a good research project. She also loves a good DIY project—probably inspired by growing up in an old Connecticut colonial.