Solid Wood Flooring
Sawn-from-the-log hardwood plank — no plywood backer, no urea-formaldehyde, refinishable for generations.
Toxicity Screening — All Clear
This material screens clear across all seven independent toxicology authorities we use on every project.
Material Type
Solid Hardwood Plank Flooring
Material Description
Solid wood flooring is exactly what the name says: a single piece of hardwood, sawn from the log, milled with tongue-and-groove edges, kiln-dried, and finished. Unlike engineered wood (which is a thin veneer over a plywood or HDF substrate bonded with adhesive), solid wood has zero added binders. The finish chemistry matters — specify natural oils, hard-wax oils, or water-based polyurethane rather than solvent-based polyurethane. Solid plank can be sanded and refinished 4-6 times over its life, meaning a single floor lasts 100+ years with reasonable care. Refer to FSC Lumber for the certified-sustainable sourcing side.
Composition & Origin
Health Profile — All Endpoints Clear
Severity scored 0–10 against the same 10 hazard endpoints we use for the chemical families on the avoid list. Every score is 1–2 — essentially no signal across every endpoint.
Common Forms & Brands
- Carlisle Wide Plank flooring
- Hull Forest Products
- Goodwin Heart Pine reclaimed
- Common framing: tongue-and-groove plank, wide-plank, parquet, end-grain block
Why We Use It
- Zero adhesive binders — no urea-formaldehyde, no MDI
- Refinishable 4-6 times over its service life
- 100+ year service life with reasonable care
- Stores atmospheric carbon for life of building
- Repairable plank-by-plank rather than wholesale replacement
Where It Performs Best
- Living, dining, and bedroom floors
- Office and study floors
- Wide-plank statement floors
Building Applications for Solid Wood Flooring
Listed alphabetically. Where in a home this material earns its keep.
Solid Hardwood Floors