Best Hardwood Species for Pacific Northwest Homes
· 6 min read
Choosing the right hardwood species for your Pacific Northwest home matters more than you might think. Spokane's climate — with cold, dry winters and warm summers — creates unique challenges for wood flooring. The species you choose affects durability, appearance, maintenance needs, and how well your floors handle our seasonal humidity swings.
At Selkirk Hardwood, we've refinished thousands of floors across the Inland Northwest. Here's our professional assessment of the best (and worst) hardwood species for PNW homes.
1. White Oak — The Gold Standard
Janka Hardness: 1,360 lbs | Cost: $6–$12/sq ft installed
White oak is the most popular hardwood flooring species in America, and for good reason. It's hard, dimensionally stable, and takes stain beautifully. The closed grain structure resists moisture penetration better than red oak, making it ideal for Spokane's variable humidity.
White oak's natural tannins give it a warm, honey tone that can be stained to virtually any color — from bleached Scandinavian white to rich espresso. It's our top recommendation for most Spokane homeowners.
Best for: Living rooms, kitchens, whole-house installations
2. Red Oak — The Classic Choice
Janka Hardness: 1,290 lbs | Cost: $5–$10/sq ft installed
Red oak has been the default American hardwood floor for over a century. If you live in a Spokane home built between 1940 and 2000, there's a good chance you already have red oak floors under that carpet. Its prominent grain pattern gives rooms a classic, warm character.
The open grain does mean red oak is slightly more susceptible to humidity changes, and it can show stain blotchiness with darker colors. But for a natural or light stain finish, red oak delivers excellent value.
Best for: Budget-conscious projects, matching existing floors in older homes
3. Douglas Fir — The PNW Native
Janka Hardness: 660 lbs | Cost: $4–$8/sq ft installed
Douglas fir is a softwood, technically, but it's been used in PNW homes for over a century. Many historic Spokane homes — especially in Browne's Addition and the South Hill — feature original fir floors that are over 100 years old.
Fir's lower hardness means it dents more easily, but many homeowners love the character that comes with age. When refinished properly, old-growth fir has a tight, beautiful grain that's impossible to replicate with new lumber.
Best for: Historic homes, character-focused renovations
4. Maple — The Hardest Common Species
Janka Hardness: 1,450 lbs | Cost: $7–$13/sq ft installed
Hard maple is the toughest common domestic hardwood, making it excellent for high-traffic areas and homes with active pets. Its light, creamy color and subtle grain create a clean, contemporary look.
The downside? Maple doesn't take stain evenly — it tends to blotch with darker colors. It looks best with a natural or very light finish. It's also more reactive to humidity changes than oak.
Best for: High-traffic homes, modern aesthetics, pet owners
5. American Walnut — The Luxury Option
Janka Hardness: 1,010 lbs | Cost: $10–$18/sq ft installed
Walnut's rich, chocolate-brown color is naturally stunning without any stain. It's softer than oak, so it's best in lower-traffic areas or homes without large dogs. The natural color variation — from deep brown heartwood to lighter sapwood — creates dramatic visual interest.
Best for: Master bedrooms, formal living rooms, luxury renovations
6. Hickory — The Toughest Option
Janka Hardness: 1,820 lbs | Cost: $7–$14/sq ft installed
Hickory is the hardest domestic wood species commonly used for flooring. Its dramatic color variation and strong grain pattern give rooms a rustic, lodge-like feel that's popular in Spokane-area mountain homes. It handles pets, kids, and heavy traffic better than any other option.
Best for: Families with dogs, rustic/mountain aesthetics, high-traffic areas
Species to Avoid in Spokane
Bamboo (low-quality): Cheap bamboo floors don't handle Spokane's dry winters well and can crack or gap significantly. If you want bamboo, invest in strand-woven from a reputable manufacturer.
Pine (for high traffic): While pine has historic charm, its Janka rating of 380 makes it impractical for busy households. Save it for bedrooms or low-traffic spaces.
What About Engineered Hardwood?
Engineered hardwood uses a real wood veneer over a plywood core, making it more dimensionally stable than solid hardwood. It's an excellent choice for Spokane basements, over concrete slabs, or in rooms with radiant heat. Most engineered floors can be refinished 1–2 times, compared to 4–7 times for solid 3/4" hardwood.
Our Recommendation
For most Spokane homeowners, white oak with a water-based finish offers the best combination of durability, beauty, and value. If you already have hardwood floors — regardless of species — refinishing is almost always more cost-effective than replacement.
Not sure what species you have? We can identify it during a free in-home consultation and recommend the best refinishing approach.
Get Your Free Estimate → Call (509) 555-0147