Hardwood Floor Installation in Spokane, WA

New hardwood floors built right for Spokane's climate. Selkirk Hardwood installs solid and engineered hardwood with proper subfloor preparation — choosing the right product for the PNW's unique conditions.

Engineered Hardwood: Recommended for Most Spokane Homes

Spokane sits in a climatic "sweet spot" compared to western Washington — lower overall humidity than Seattle, but still subject to meaningful seasonal swings. Winters bring dry furnace heat (indoor humidity can drop to 20–25%), while summers with high temperatures and occasional humidity create the opposite stress. This range of 30–40 percentage points in relative humidity makes engineered hardwood the smart choice for most Spokane installations.

Engineered hardwood's cross-ply plywood core is dimensionally stable across humidity changes because each layer's grain runs perpendicular to the next, canceling out expansion and contraction forces. Benefits for Spokane homes:

• Handles Spokane's 30–40% seasonal humidity swings with minimal movement
• Can be installed below grade — usable in Spokane basement rooms
• Available in wider planks (5–9"+) without cupping risk
• Compatible with radiant heat systems increasingly popular in newer Spokane builds
• Floats, glues, or nails down depending on substrate

We recommend engineered hardwood for any Spokane installation where humidity is variable, the subfloor is concrete, or the homeowner prefers wide-plank aesthetics.

Solid Hardwood in Spokane

Traditional ¾" solid hardwood is absolutely viable in Spokane — its dry climate is actually more forgiving than the western side of the state. However, solid hardwood still requires:

• Installation above grade only (never on concrete without exceptional moisture mitigation)
• Active humidity management between 35–50% year-round
• Narrower plank widths (2¼"–3¼") to minimize seasonal movement
• 7-day minimum acclimation period in the home before installation

Solid hardwood is an excellent choice for Spokane's climate-controlled rooms — living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms where humidity is maintained. The South Hill and Browne's Addition neighborhoods are full of homes with original Douglas fir or old-growth oak that's performed beautifully for a century because it was properly installed and maintained.

Wood Species for Spokane Homes

Spokane's strong connection to Pacific Northwest timber culture means many homeowners want species that fit the regional aesthetic:

• Douglas Fir: The authentic PNW species — historically used throughout Spokane Craftsman homes. Softer (940 Janka) but takes stain beautifully and has historic character
• White Oak: The current top seller — tight grain, takes gray and ceruse stains exceptionally well, hard enough for active households
• Red Oak: Classic choice with warm tones, abundant and cost-effective, excellent stain absorption
• Hickory: Hardest domestic option (1,820 Janka), dramatic grain variation — excellent for pet households
• Maple: Very hard, light appearance, popular for modern and contemporary aesthetics
• Walnut: Rich, dark tones — considered a premium wood for main living spaces

Subfloor Preparation

Every Selkirk installation begins with thorough subfloor assessment and preparation:

• Flatness check (within 3/16" over 10 feet — non-negotiable for quality installation)
• Moisture testing with calibrated meters — critical for Spokane's variable seasons
• Repair or replacement of soft, damaged, or squeaky subfloor areas
• Installation of vapor barrier or moisture mitigation system where needed
• Leveling compound where subfloor is out of tolerance

Installation Cost in Spokane

Hardwood floor installation in Spokane typically costs $6 to $12 per square foot including materials and labor:

• $6–$8/sqft: Engineered hardwood, standard installation
• $8–$10/sqft: Solid hardwood nail-down installation
• $10–$12/sqft: Wide-plank, exotic species, or complex patterns

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does hardwood installation take in Spokane?

After the required 7-day acclimation period, physical installation takes 1–3 days for a standard 800–1,200 sq ft home. The finishing process (sanding, staining, and 3 coats of polyurethane) adds 3–5 days. Most Spokane projects are complete and fully walkable within 10–12 days from when the wood arrives in your home.

Is engineered hardwood as good as solid in Spokane?

For most Spokane applications, yes — and in some cases better. High-quality engineered hardwood (6mm+ wear layer) performs equally well visually, can be refinished multiple times, and outperforms solid in stability through Spokane's heating season humidity swings. Where solid hardwood wins is in longevity — a solid floor can potentially be refinished 5–8 times over 75+ years, while engineered is typically refinishable 1–3 times. For new builds and basement installations, engineered is the clear choice.

What's the best hardwood for Spokane homes with pets?

Hardness first: aim for 1,200+ Janka hardness. Hickory (1,820), hard maple (1,450), and white oak (1,360) all hold up well to dog and cat traffic. Wire-brushed and hand-scraped textures hide everyday scratches far better than smooth high-gloss. Avoid walnut (1,010) and Douglas fir (940) in high-traffic pet areas — they're beautiful but mark easily. Oil-finished floors are easier to spot-repair than polyurethane when damage does occur.