Best Wood Flooring for Metro Detroit Homes

Metro Detroit homeowners trust Al Havner & Sons Hardwood Floors to recommend and install the best wood species for Michigan’s unique climate, ensuring long-lasting beauty and performance in Royal Oak, Ann Arbor, Troy, Dearborn Heights, Grosse Pointe, Birmingham, and beyond.

Best Wood for Michigan Climate: Durable Hardwood Floors in Metro Detroit

Choosing the right hardwood species for your Metro Detroit home means balancing beauty, durability, and seasonal stability. Michigan’s extreme temperature swings—from summer humidity along the Detroit River to subzero winters near Oakland County—put floors to the test. As a 5th-generation family business, Al Havner & Sons Hardwood Floors brings award-winning craftsmanship and Michigan-specialized expertise to every installation and refinishing project. Whether you’re renovating a Craftsman in Bloomfield Hills or installing new floors in an Auburn Hills townhouse, selecting a wood species that thrives here is vital for minimizing expansion, contraction, and wear.

Oak: The Proven All-Rounder

Red oak and white oak dominate the hardwood market for good reason. Oak’s natural grain patterns complement both traditional and modern interiors, and its hardness rating (1,200+ on the Janka scale) stands up to daily foot traffic in busy households. In Metro Detroit neighborhoods like Royal Oak and Ferndale, oak floors resist dents and scratches better than softer woods.

• Moisture resistance: White oak has a tighter grain that handles humidity near Lake St. Clair and the Rouge River corridor.
• Affordability: Oak is widely available, keeping material costs competitive for whole-home installations.
• Versatility: Easily stained—from light natural to dark espresso—oak adapts to evolving design trends.

Al Havner & Sons offers installation services near Royal Oak for both solid and engineered oak, backed by a Customer Satisfaction Guarantee.

Maple and Hickory: Hardness Meets Style

Maple ranks high on the hardness scale and presents a clean, uniform look prized in contemporary Ann Arbor lofts. Its light color palette brightens interior spaces, making it ideal for smaller rooms. However, maple’s closed grain can show scratches more easily, so it’s best paired with protective finishes.

Hickory offers dramatic color variation—from creamy blondes to rich browns—and an outstanding Janka rating around 1,800. In Troy and Rochester Hills, families with pets and active lifestyles choose hickory for its superior durability. Keep in mind that hickory’s contrasting tones require precise color-matched staining, a service expertly handled by our on-site custom finishing team.

Learn more about our finishing options, including water-based and oil-based polyurethane, to protect your maple or hickory floors against Michigan’s winter salt and summer humidity.

Exotic Species: A Touch of Luxury

For homeowners seeking unique aesthetics, exotic woods like Brazilian cherry, teak, and mahogany bring rich color and distinct grain patterns. While exotic species often command higher upfront costs, their density and natural oils resist moisture changes better than many domestic options—critical for coastal-style condos near Grosse Pointe Shores.

• Brazilian cherry darkens to a deep red over time, ideal for formal dining areas in Birmingham estates.
• Teak’s natural oil content reduces warping, perfect for lakeside cottages in Oakland County.
• Mahogany maintains dimensional stability in fluctuating humidity, making it a premium choice for media rooms in Dearborn Heights and Livonia.

Our veteran-trained team ensures precise installation and on-site sanding and staining, delivering an award-winning floor worthy of any Metro Detroit home.

Engineered vs. Solid: Understanding Construction

Solid hardwood planks—milked from a single tree—offer decades of refinishable life but require careful acclimation to Michigan’s seasonal moisture levels. Our specialists acclimate solid wood on-site for 72 hours to prevent gapping.

Engineered hardwood features a multi-ply core designed to resist shrinking and swelling. In areas with radiant heating systems (common in new Ann Arbor builds) or below-grade installations (such as Livonia basements), engineered floors are often recommended:

• Stability: Plywood core layers cross-grain reduce movement.
• Thinner profiles: Suitable for renovation projects where ceiling height is a concern.
• Cost-effective deep installations: Engineered floors can be glued or floated over underlayment for quick installation.

Explore our types of hardwood floors to determine which construction best fits your Detroit or Pontiac property.

Seasonal Maintenance for Michigan’s Winters and Summers

Proper care extends the life of your hardwood floors through Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles and humid summers. Al Havner & Sons Hardwood Floors recommends:

• Maintain indoor humidity: Keep levels between 35–55% using humidifiers in winter and dehumidifiers in summer.
• Use protective mats: Place mats at entrances in Troy and Sterling Heights to trap salt and grit.
• Routine cleaning: Sweep or vacuum (with a hardwood-floor setting) weekly, and use manufacturer-approved cleaners to avoid residue buildup.
• Annual inspection: Schedule a screen and coat service to refresh existing finishes and seal micro-scratches.

For emergency floor repair—such as water damage from sump pump failures in Rochester Hills—our on-call team is available weekends and holidays to restore your finish fast.

Partnering with Local Experts for Flawless Installation

Al Havner & Sons Hardwood Floors is a 5th-generation, family-run business proud to serve 40+ cities across Metro Detroit. From the historical homes along Jefferson Avenue to modern lofts in Corktown, our award-winning installations have earned two National Wood Flooring Association “Floor of the Year” titles.

• Veteran-trained team: Every installer undergoes rigorous in-house training for consistent, high-quality results.
• Free discounts: Bundle installation, refinishing, and stair services to save on your next Grosse Pointe or Ferndale project.
• Customer Satisfaction Guarantee: We stand behind our work with premium materials and precise craftsmanship.

See our stair installation and refinishing projects near Northville or request a free quote for solid and engineered floors across Detroit’s Midtown and Corktown neighborhoods.

Conclusion: Invest in Hardwood That Thrives Here

Selecting the best wood for Michigan’s climate protects your investment and enhances your home’s comfort and value. Whether you choose classic oak, durable hickory, or luxurious exotic species, Al Havner & Sons Hardwood Floors delivers tailored solutions across Metro Detroit—from Ann Arbor’s Old West Side to Sterling Heights’ suburbs. Contact us today to schedule an on-site consultation, and discover why our family business sets the standard for hardwood floor installation and refinishing in Royal Oak, Warren, and every community in between.