8 Best Hardwood Flooring Brands of 2026

More Details on the Best Hardwood Flooring Brands

Anderson Tuftex

Anderson Tuftex is Shaw’s premium hardwood brand and stands out for its cross-locked plywood core construction. This design, which Anderson helped develop, performs reliably in various conditions, including humidity changes, radiant heat, and below-grade spaces. In our evaluation, Anderson Tuftex earned a perfect score for Climate and Regional Suitability. This matters because most hardwood issues stem from moisture, not the product itself. Anderson’s engineered construction helps protect your floor from these common problems.

Real-world owner experience supports the durability claim for most uses. One homeowner in the desert Southwest, with pronounced humidity swings and monsoon seasons, installed Anderson Tuftex glued down on a concrete slab and reported exceptional stability, noting it will last multiple decades with normal residential use. Another owner with two adults, two kids, and three cats described 12 years of prefinished maple holding up with only prompt spill cleanup.

At least one homeowner who upgraded to wider Anderson Tuftex planks experienced scratching, denting, and cracking within a year. While uncommon, this shows that finish performance can vary between collections. Always check the wear layer specifications for the exact product before buying.

The main drawback is the higher price, which can be two to three times that of mid-range brands. However, Anderson Tuftex offers a lifetime structural warranty and a 50-year finish warranty, which few competitors match.

Mohawk Flooring

Mohawk scores slightly higher than Shaw for durability, partly due to its large manufacturing network and wide selection. They offer over 800 options across solid and engineered hardwood lines. The recent addition of Canadian-made premium hardwood through the Lauzon acquisition expands their choices further. For most homeowners, Mohawk offers more ways to find the right product at the right price than almost any other brand.

Owner reviews reflect a genuinely reliable product when properly installed. A homeowner who installed 1,400 sq. ft. of prefinished solid oak found it to be good quality with very few defective pieces compared to less expensive products, noting the protective coating was holding up well after three to four years. An installer working on a new build was similarly impressed with the engineered maple’s quality, with no warping or issues reported.

Some homeowners have had trouble with warranty claims. For example, one person with peeling planks could not get help from Mohawk because the flooring was supplied by a contractor and lacked a direct purchase receipt. Mohawk sent an inspector but did not follow up for months. This is not unique to Mohawk but common enough to mention. If your flooring comes through a contractor, keep the original purchase receipt before installation begins.

Shaw Floors

Shaw and Mohawk are the two largest flooring manufacturers in the US, and their hardwood products are similar in quality and price. Shaw stands out for its finish design, offering a wide range of modern colors and textures. The Repel Hardwood line uses spill-resistant technology, making engineered wood a good choice for homes where moisture could be an issue.

Homeowners have mixed experiences with Shaw. Some report beautiful floors that are easy to install and hold up well to daily use. Others, including experienced buyers, have noticed quality control issues and recommend inspecting every plank before installation due to higher defect rates. Flooring professionals note Shaw’s engineered hardwood shows natural variation between planks, giving an authentic wood look compared to laminate or vinyl. However, it cannot be refinished, is less scratch-resistant than laminate, and is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof. Dealer pricing can vary by up to $0.75 per square foot, depending on your area.

Shaw offers a strong selection, but it is important to set realistic expectations, especially about refinishing and natural differences in wood veneer products. Knowing these details will help you get the best results rather than relying on marketing claims alone.

K.D. Woods Company

K.D. Woods is truly unique. Its reclaimed old-growth and wide-plank products are much denser and harder than most modern farmed lumber, earning a perfect durability score in our evaluation. For example, a wide-plank reclaimed elm floor that spent a century in a barn will last longer than anything made in a factory today.

What distinguishes K.D. Woods in owner reviews is the quality of its customer relationship. Multiple buyers describe working directly with founder Karen Durning to source specific species, navigate difficult shipping logistics, and match existing floors in older homes. One homeowner who searched for months for reclaimed elm to match existing floors found K.D. Woods after exhausting other options. The company sent samples, accommodated specific project requirements, and delivered on the promised date. Another buyer of a large order described a shipping process requiring a transfer from a semi to a straight truck, arranged and executed seamlessly.

This high level of service means K.D. Woods operates more like a boutique. Production takes longer than with other manufacturers, and prices are at the top of the market. Installation requires skilled professionals who can finish the floor on site, so this is not a DIY or standard contractor project. If you are renovating an entire home on a tight schedule, K.D. Woods may not be the best fit. For homeowners restoring historic properties or seeking a floor with true character and history, K.D. Woods offers something you cannot find elsewhere.

Harris Wood Floors

Harris Wood has made hardwood floors since 1898 and is now owned by QEP Group. It is a reliable mid-market choice, made in the US, with a lifetime structural warranty and 25-year finish warranty. Harris Wood is widely available through many flooring retailers. Its 3.9 rating reflects steady, consistent performance but does not stand out for any particular feature.

There are few independent consumer reviews for Harris Wood since most products are sold through contractors and commercial channels rather than directly to homeowners. If your contractor recommends Harris Wood, it is often because flooring professionals trust and use the brand regularly. The product line is smaller than Mohawk or Shaw, and there have been no major innovations since QEP took over. For whole-home engineered hardwood priced between big national brands and premium specialty options, Harris Wood is a dependable and straightforward choice.

Mercier Wood Flooring

Mercier has strong credentials: it is made in Canada from FSC-certified sustainable wood, offers 35 to 50-year warranty coverage, and uses UV-cured finish technology that has delivered excellent results in the past. For example, one homeowner who installed solid Mercier rosewood in 2001 reported in 2025 that the floor still looks as good as new, calling it the best finish they had seen in the US or Europe.

However, this positive experience is based on an older product. Recent reviews tell a different story, with many owners reporting the finish is soft and dents or chips easily, even with light use. Several reviewers with only two adults in the home and no heavy wear saw denting and chipping almost immediately, and Mercier did not resolve their warranty claims. The number of similar complaints suggests a current manufacturing quality issue.

Mercier also scores poorly for climate and regional suitability since its products require a narrow humidity range. This can limit use if your home lacks consistent climate control year-round. With prices from $12 to $23 per square foot installed, you may be paying for a reputation that does not match current quality. Based on recent reviews, check the latest product quality before making a big purchase.

Bruce Flooring

Bruce has been making hardwood floors for over a century, and its solid oak and hickory floors — when properly selected and installed — produce genuinely beautiful results. One homeowner who installed 1,500 sq. ft. of natural hickory described it holding up excellently against children and pets.

Bruce’s 3.3 rating reflects two important things for homeowners to keep in mind. First, Bruce is now owned by AHF Products, which also acquired Armstrong Flooring after its 2022 bankruptcy. Since this change, some reviews mention inconsistent product quality, and warranty claims now go through AHF’s system, which some customers find confusing. Bruce received its NWFA/NOFMA certification in July 2025, which is a positive step, but it is a recent development.

Second, where you buy Bruce flooring matters. Flooring professionals say most issues are found in the lower-grade lines sold at big-box stores, where the brand name is used for less expensive products. Bruce’s selection focuses on traditional solid oak, which is more affected by humidity changes than engineered options from other brands. Some homeowners have also found that advertised waterproof qualities did not hold up, and warranty claims were not honored after a leak. Always read the waterproofing details and confirm warranty terms before installing in areas where moisture could be a concern.

Empire Today

On this page, we’re evaluating Empire Today based on its exclusive in-house hardwood products, not its installation service. Empire’s convenience model, including in-home consultation, next-day installation, and bundled pricing, can help homeowners who prefer not to coordinate with multiple vendors. When everything goes smoothly, homeowners report crews arrive on time, work efficiently, and leave a finished floor they are happy with.

There are important tradeoffs to keep in mind. Empire’s installation warranty is only one year, the shortest in the industry. Installers are subcontractors, so work quality can vary. The in-house product lines lack independent quality documentation and third-party verification of wear layer or finish durability like manufacturer brands. Some homeowners reported unexpected price increases on installation day or floors failing within two years, with Empire not honoring the warranty.

If managing contractors is a challenge and your budget allows, Empire’s convenience model may be a good fit. But if you want the longest-lasting product and strong warranty support, the manufacturer brands above may offer more peace of mind.

Typical Hardwood Flooring Cost by Construction Type

Solid hardwood (3/4 inch)

• $8 to $18 per sq. ft.
• Refinishable multiple times; best in stable humidity environments

Engineered hardwood (standard)

• $8 to $16 per sq. ft.
• More humidity-stable; limited refinishing cycles depending on veneer thickness

Premium engineered / wide plank

• $14 to $22+ per sq. ft.
• Maximum design impact and stability; professional installation recommended

Reclaimed / custom hardwood

• $14 to $28+ per sq. ft.
• Unique character and superior material density; site-finish installation required

Be sure to check how many times your floor can be refinished. Solid hardwood with a 3/4-inch wear surface can usually be refinished five to eight times, making it a long-term investment. Most engineered hardwood can be refinished once or twice, depending on the thickness of the veneer. Some engineered products, including certain Shaw and Mohawk lines, cannot be refinished at all. If refinishing is important to you, confirm this detail before you buy.

A Brand We Reviewed But Don’t Recommend

One major brand often comes up in hardwood flooring searches but did not make our recommended list. We’re sharing this information here so you have the facts you need to make informed decisions if you come across them while shopping.

Lumber Liquidators / LL Flooring

Lumber Liquidators, also known as LL Flooring, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2024 and has since returned to its original name. As a result, warranty claims made before the bankruptcy are no longer being honored. The company has also faced ongoing quality control concerns and was the subject of a 2015 federal investigation related to formaldehyde levels in some of its imported flooring products.

Our position: Modernize does not recommend Lumber Liquidators / LL Flooring for homeowners making a hardwood flooring purchase in 2026. At comparable price points, every brand in our ranked guide above offers better product quality, more enforceable warranty terms, and more stable business operations. You can read all of the details on the company's bankruptcy, acquisition, and more in our Lumber Liquidators / LL Flooring review

What to Ask Before You Buy

Solid or engineered — and does your climate decide for you?

Solid hardwood naturally expands and contracts with changes in humidity. If you live in an area with big seasonal changes or are installing flooring below ground level, engineered hardwood is a more stable option. For example, Anderson Tuftex uses a cross-locked plywood core to help prevent movement from moisture.

What’s the actual veneer thickness on this engineered product?

The thickness of the veneer determines if, and how often, your floor can be refinished. A 2mm veneer usually allows for one refinishing, while a 6mm veneer can support two or three. Some engineered products have veneer layers that are too thin to sand, so it’s important to check before you buy.

Who owns this brand today, and are they standing behind warranties?

AHF Products is now the owner of both Bruce and Armstrong Flooring. LL Flooring has returned to the Lumber Liquidators name after bankruptcy. Empire Today offers one-year warranties that are managed by subcontractors. While these details may not be deal-breakers for everyone, they are important to consider when evaluating long-term warranty coverage.

Is the subfloor ready?

Many hardwood installation problems are actually caused by issues with the subfloor, such as moisture, unevenness, or lack of structural support. If your contractor does not bring up moisture testing before installation, be sure to ask for it.

Where are you buying, and does it change what you’re getting?

With brands like Bruce, product quality can differ significantly between big-box stores and specialty retailers. The same brand name may refer to different products depending on where you buy, so it’s important to check the specifications before making a decision.

Not Sold on Hardwood Flooring?

If you love the look of wood but want something more budget-friendly or waterproof, explore other popular options. Visit our Best Laminate Flooring Brands to compare durable, scratch-resistant designs, or check out the Best Vinyl Flooring Brands for waterproof, comfortable styles perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and busy households.