Choosing a hardwood floor is as much about matching the right material to Arizona’s climate as it is about style. At Mission Hardwood Floor Co., we’ve been crafting and installing floors across the Greater Phoenix area since 1972, and one of the most common questions we help homeowners work through is which type of hardwood actually fits their home, budget, and long-term goals.
Solid Hardwood: Timeless and Built to Last
Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like — floorboards milled from a single piece of wood, top to bottom. Our hardwood floor selection sources from over 300 species of wood from around the world, meaning the design possibilities are genuinely wide open, from classic oak to more distinctive, exotic species.
Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its life, which is a big part of why it lasts for generations when properly maintained. It’s a strong choice for homeowners who want a floor they can restyle (through refinishing or restaining) years down the road without replacing it.
Engineered Hardwood: Real Wood, Built for Stability
Engineered hardwood floors are constructed with a real hardwood veneer layered over an engineered core, giving them the same authentic look and feel as solid hardwood while offering more dimensional stability. This makes engineered floors a particularly smart choice in Arizona, where dramatic swings between dry indoor heat and occasional humidity can cause some flooring materials to expand, contract, or cup over time.
Because engineered floors can have the exact same appearance as solid hardwood, many homeowners choose them for areas of the home more prone to temperature or moisture fluctuation, without sacrificing the authentic wood look they want throughout the rest of the house.
Reclaimed Hardwood: Character You Can’t Manufacture
Reclaimed hardwood is sourced from previously used wood — old barns, factories, and other structures — and repurposed into flooring with a depth of character that new material simply can’t replicate. Every reclaimed floor carries its own history in the form of nail holes, weathering, and natural variation, making each installation genuinely one of a kind.
If you’re drawn to a rustic, lived-in aesthetic, or you like the idea of a floor with a story behind it, reclaimed hardwood is worth exploring alongside our other product options.
Don’t Forget Wood Wall Coverings
Hardwood isn’t limited to floors. Wood wall coverings — including reclaimed wood wall installations — have become a popular way to bring the same warmth and craftsmanship to accent walls, feature walls, and full room treatments. It’s a natural complement to a new floor if you’re looking to extend a cohesive design throughout a space.
How We Help You Decide
Every home is different — sun exposure, room usage, existing subfloor conditions, and personal style all factor into which product makes the most sense. Our full range of services, from new installation to sanding, refinishing, and buffing, means we can help you not just choose the right floor, but keep it looking its best for decades to come. Browsing our project gallery is a great way to see solid, engineered, and reclaimed floors installed in real Arizona homes before making a decision.
We proudly serve homeowners throughout Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, and the surrounding Valley communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Arizona’s climate — solid or engineered hardwood? Engineered hardwood generally offers more dimensional stability against temperature and humidity swings, though solid hardwood performs very well too when properly acclimated and installed. We help assess which fits your specific home during a consultation.
Can reclaimed hardwood be refinished like solid hardwood? Yes, in most cases reclaimed hardwood can be sanded and refinished, though the process depends on the wood’s condition and prior use.
Do solid and engineered floors come with warranties? Yes — our solid floors come with a lifetime structural warranty, and most of our engineered products carry similar warranty coverage.
Is reclaimed wood more expensive than new solid hardwood? Pricing varies depending on the wood species, sourcing, and condition. We can walk you through options at different price points during a showroom visit.
Can I mix wood wall coverings with a new hardwood floor project? Absolutely — many homeowners pair a new floor installation with a wood wall feature for a cohesive, custom look throughout a space.
