Best Hardwood Flooring Options for Metro Detroit Homes

From the historic streets of Detroit’s Eastern Market to the lakeside charm of Grosse Pointe, Al Havner & Sons Hardwood Floors delivers five generations of expert craftsmanship to homeowners across Metro Detroit.

Choosing the Best Hardwood for Metro Detroit’s Unique Climate

Selecting the ideal hardwood species for your home in Detroit, Dearborn Heights, Ann Arbor or Troy isn’t just about color and grain—it’s about performance under Michigan’s temperature swings and seasonal humidity. At Al Havner & Sons Hardwood Floors, we combine our 35+ years of local expertise with award-winning installation techniques to recommend the best wood options that resist warping, cupping, and gapping in neighborhoods from Birmingham to Southfield.

Whether you’re renovating a Craftsman in Royal Oak, installing new floors in a Ferndale condo near the Detroit Riverwalk, or refinishing stairs in a Grosse Pointe Shores villa, the right species and proper installation make all the difference. Below, we explore how Michigan’s climate affects hardwood and highlight our top wood recommendations for lasting beauty and durability.

Understanding Michigan’s Climate and Hardwood Performance

Metro Detroit experiences wide fluctuations in temperature and humidity—from sub-zero winters that dry out indoor air, to hot, humid summers that introduce excess moisture. These environmental swings can stress hardwood floors, causing boards to expand, contract, or even split. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward ensuring a stable, long-lasting hardwood floor.

• Winter Dryness: Indoor humidity can drop below 30% when furnaces run around Campus Martius or Corktown. Low moisture draws water out of wood cells, leading to gaps between planks.
• Summer Humidity: July and August in Livonia or Novi often push indoor relative humidity above 60%, making floors expand and risk buckling if not properly acclimated.
• Seasonal Swings: Rapid shifts between seasons—think a crisp Belle Isle spring to a humid, rainy summer—test subfloor preparation and wood stability.
• Localized Microclimates: Homes near the Detroit Riverwalk or Belle Isle may see higher moisture levels than inland Dearborn Heights residences.

At Al Havner & Sons, our veteran-trained team begins every project—installation, refinishing, or emergency repair—with a thorough moisture and subfloor assessment. We leverage our Michigan-specialized expertise to:

• Acclimate solid and engineered boards on site for 72+ hours
• Install professional vapor barriers in high-humidity areas
• Recommend the right finish—oil-based or waterborne—to seal and protect against moisture ingress

This attention to detail minimizes movement, ensuring floors in Royal Oak’s historic districts and modern Novi developments stay flat and flawless year-round.

Top Hardwood Species for Metro Detroit Homes

Choosing a species that naturally withstands Michigan’s climate reduces long-term maintenance and enhances the lifespan of your hardwood investment. Below are our top picks, each supported by Al Havner & Sons’ award-winning installation services and on-site custom finishing for a seamless look.

• White Oak: Known for its exceptional hardness (1,360 Janka rating) and open grain, white oak offers superior moisture resistance—ideal for homes near Eastern Market or the Detroit Riverwalk. Its warm tan tones complement both modern lofts in Corktown and traditional ranch homes in Dearborn.
• Red Oak: A Metro Detroit favorite, red oak combines affordability with durability (1,290 Janka rating). Its uniform grain and light pink hue take stains beautifully—perfect for matching the rich red brick exteriors in Grosse Pointe and the neutral palettes in Troy.
• Hard Maple: With a closed grain and high density (1,450 Janka rating), maple resists cupping and expansion. It’s a go-to choice for high-traffic areas near Ford Field or Comerica Park, delivering a bright, contemporary look that stands up to daily wear and tear.
• Hickory: The hardest domestic species (1,820 Janka rating), hickory thrives under heavy use. Its striking color variation and bold grain make a statement in homes around Oak Park and Berkley, while offering natural stability against humidity shifts.
• Engineered White Oak: For basements or over radiant heat systems in Royal Oak and Birmingham, our engineered white oak planks provide dimensional stability. Layers of plywood beneath a hardwood veneer reduce movement, making it an excellent choice for below-grade installations.

Not sure which species suits your lifestyle and budget? Explore our full breakdown in Types of Hardwood Floors or schedule a complimentary consultation to experience wood samples in your own home.

Once your boards are selected, our installation services near Royal Oak ensure precise nail-down, glue-down, or floating floor applications. Following installation, our on-site custom finishing uses premium waterborne or oil-modified finishes to seal every joint and highlight the natural beauty of your wood. For staircases in Grosse Pointe Shores or Dearborn Heights, our stair flooring specialists create seamless transitions that elevate your home’s elegance.

And because unexpected issues can arise—like water leaks near the Detroit Zoo or accidental scratches after a Bensonhurst shopping spree—Al Havner & Sons offers Emergency & On-Call Services on weekends. When you bundle installation and refinishing, you’ll also benefit from our Free Discounts for Bundled Services, ensuring you get the best value without sacrificing quality.

Ready to choose the best wood for your Michigan home? Contact Al Havner & Sons Hardwood Floors today at (248) 549-4640 or book your consultation online. We proudly serve Detroit, Ann Arbor, Troy, Novi, Dearborn, Livonia, Birmingham, Southfield, Royal Oak, Grosse Pointe, and 30+ surrounding communities—your satisfaction is guaranteed.