Solid hardwood flooring in Ontario is a ¾" solid wood floor that is nailed or stapled to a plywood subfloor — the traditional choice for homeowners who want real wood that can be refinished multiple times over a 50+ year lifespan. At Top Floorings Depot in Toronto (3781 Victoria Park Ave), we carry Canadian-made solid hardwood from Appalachian, Lauzon, MKB, and Seasons, starting at $5.39/sqft for Red Oak Excel grade. This guide covers every species, grade, and finish so you can make the right choice for your home.
What Is Solid Hardwood Flooring and Why Ontario Homeowners Choose It
Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like: each plank is a single piece of solid wood, ¾" thick, with a tongue-and-groove profile that locks together during installation. It is not engineered, not layered, not a composite — it is the real article.
For Ontario homeowners, solid hardwood makes sense in specific situations. If you are in a detached home with a plywood subfloor on the upper level or second floor, solid hardwood is one of the best choices available. It can be sanded and refinished up to five or six times over its lifetime — meaning a properly maintained solid hardwood floor can last 50 years or more. It adds genuine value to a home in a way that synthetics cannot replicate.
The main constraint is installation: solid hardwood must be nailed or stapled to a plywood subfloor. It cannot be glued or floated over concrete, and it is not suitable for basements or below-grade installations where moisture can compromise the wood. Ontario's climate — with humid summers and dry winters — requires solid hardwood to be acclimatized in the home for several days before installation. For basement or concrete subfloor situations, speak with our team about engineered hardwood or SPC vinyl plank alternatives.
Top Floorings Depot stocks over 15 solid hardwood species and colour options across Canadian and US manufacturers. All solid hardwood at our showroom is available for same-day pickup.
Red Oak: Ontario's Most Popular Solid Hardwood Species
Red Oak is the benchmark of the hardwood flooring industry. It grows abundantly throughout the Great Lakes region — including Ontario's own forests — and has been the default choice for North American homes for generations. If you walk into any Ontario home built before 1990 with original hardwood floors, the odds are strong that it is Red Oak.
The wood has a warm reddish-brown tone with a pronounced, open grain that takes stain well and shows character naturally. The grain pattern is consistent enough to read as uniform across a large floor, but varied enough to hide slight imperfections and daily wear.
Appalachian Red Oak is the most common Canadian-made option at Top Floorings Depot, and comes in two main grades:
- Prestige Grade ($5.69/sqft): A premium grade with minimal sapwood, small tight knots, and consistent colour. The semi-gloss finish brings out the grain without looking overly shiny. Available in colours including Gunstock, Latte, Jasper, Auburn, Sable, Medici, Treebark, Honey, and Safari — running from light honey tones through warm amber to deep reddish-brown.
- Excel Grade ($5.39/sqft): Slightly more character — a few more mineral streaks and colour variations. Natural and Amaretto are the two Excel options. Amaretto is a rich, warm brown; Natural is the classic light oak tone.
Appalachian Amaretto Red Oak is one of the most popular Excel choices — a warm, rich brown that works well in both traditional and transitional interiors. Each box of 4¼" Red Oak covers 18.9 sqft.
Lauzon also carries Red Oak in their Essential, Exclusive, and S&B grades, with colours Nostalgia, Vela, and Limes. Vela is a clean, warm tone; Limes has a slightly greenish cast that reads as very contemporary; Nostalgia is the traditional warm red-brown that has defined Ontario hardwood floors for decades.
For GTA homeowners, Red Oak's main advantage is price: at $5.39–$5.69/sqft retail, it is the most affordable Canadian solid hardwood option. It is also the easiest to match if you need to add to an existing floor in the future, since Red Oak is the industry standard.
Hard Maple: The Hardest Domestic Wood for High-Traffic Areas
If Red Oak is the most popular, Hard Maple is the most durable. Ontario's Sugar Maple trees produce a wood with a Janka hardness rating of roughly 1,450 lbf — about 12% harder than Red Oak. That difference matters in high-traffic areas: hallways, kitchens, children's rooms, and homes with large dogs.
Hard Maple has a tighter, less conspicuous grain than Red Oak, which gives it a cleaner, more contemporary look. The colour palette runs from near-white (Natural) through creamy beige to deeper browns (Walnut, Moka) and reddish-pink tones (Rosewood). Some options, like Earth and Toffee, have warm caramel tones that work well in modern farmhouse and Scandinavian-style interiors.
The trade-off with Hard Maple is that it is less forgiving of stain. Its tight grain does not absorb colour as evenly as Red Oak, which means many homeowners prefer to order Hard Maple in its natural or lightly toned finish rather than staining it dark. If you want a dark floor in Maple, ask us about the factory-finished options available through our showroom.
Appalachian Toffee Hard Maple is one of our most popular Hard Maple colours — a warm caramel brown that reads as contemporary but not trendy. Prestige grade keeps the floor looking clean and consistent across the full installation. The 4¼" width is the industry standard and the easiest to match if you ever need to add to the floor later.
For GTA homeowners with active families, Hard Maple at roughly $5.49/sqft is the practical upgrade from Red Oak. It holds up better to daily impact and maintains its appearance longer with minimal maintenance.
White Oak: A Durable Alternative with a Distinctive Grain
White Oak is not white — the name refers to a different species (Quercus alba) with a tighter, more subtle grain pattern and a slightly greyish-brown tone. It is naturally more resistant to moisture than Red Oak, which is why it is the preferred choice for applications like boat flooring and exterior decks. For Ontario homeowners, White Oak's main appeal is its colour: cooler and less reddish than Red Oak, it works well in modern and transitional design schemes.
At Top Floorings Depot, the White Oak offering is Appalachian in Prestige Grade at 4¼" wide, colours Paisley and Poplin. These are both warm mid-tone options — not grey, not dark brown, but that clean, neutral brown that reads well with grey walls, white trim, or natural linen tones. White Oak at retail is typically priced similarly to Red Oak Prestige at $5.69/sqft.
White Oak is worth considering if you are doing a modern renovation and want something that reads as less traditional than Red Oak but still has the warmth of real hardwood. It also machines well — meaning clean, tight joints during installation — which reduces the chance of squeaks and gaps over time.
Understanding Hardwood Grades: What the Names Actually Mean
Hardwood grading is one of the most confusing parts of buying solid wood flooring, partly because there is no single universal standard. The two main grading systems in Canada — NOFMA (National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association) for American mills, and a combination of CSA and proprietary systems for Canadian manufacturers — use different names and slightly different criteria.
Here is what the main grades actually mean in practical terms:
Prestige Grade (Appalachian): This is the premium grade, closest to "clear" — meaning minimal character marks, consistent colour, and a clean overall appearance. Small tight knots are allowed but limited. Prestige Grade is the best choice if you want a uniform floor with minimal natural variation. It also tends to have the most consistent milling tolerances, making installation smoother.
Excel Grade (Appalachian): A step below Prestige, with more character allowed — small checks, mineral streaks, colour variation, and occasional small knots. The floor will have more visual interest and a more "natural" look, but some boards may vary more noticeably from each other. Excel is still a quality floor; the grade primarily affects appearance, not structural integrity.
Character Grade (MKB, Seasons, Bruce): This grade embraces the natural marks that occur in wood — larger knots, more colour variation, spalting, and checking. A character-grade floor tells a story. It is the right choice if you want a rustic, farmhouse, or reclaimed aesthetic, or if you simply prefer the look of real wood with all its natural imperfections. Character grade floors tend to show less visible wear over time because the natural variation masks scratches and dents.
Select Grade (Seasons Red Oak): A mid-range grade with moderate character — more than Prestige but less than full Character. Good for homeowners who want some natural variation without going full rustic.
For Ontario homeowners buying solid hardwood for the first time, Prestige Grade Red Oak is the safest starting point: consistent appearance, reliable milling, and a known price. If you want more character or have a specific aesthetic in mind, the grades above it give you more variety.
Finish Types: Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss, and High Gloss — What's Best for Your Home
All solid hardwood at Top Floorings Depot comes pre-finished with a factory-applied aluminum oxide or polyurethane coating. The finish does two things: it protects the wood surface and it determines the look — specifically, how much shine the floor has.
Matte finishes have the lowest gloss level (roughly 5–10% sheen). They hide scratches and daily wear well, which is why most family homes with pets or children benefit from a matte or low-sheen floor. Matte also reads as the most contemporary finish style in current GTA renovation trends.
Satin finishes (roughly 25–35% sheen) are the most popular choice across the industry. They have a soft glow that brings out the wood's grain without looking flashy. If you are undecided, satin is the right default.
Semi-Gloss finishes (roughly 40–55% sheen) are more reflective and tend to show scratches and wear more clearly. They can look very elegant in formal rooms — a traditional dining room or study — but are less practical for busy family households. Most pre-finished hardwood at retail is not available in high-gloss options because the trend has moved toward lower sheen.
High Gloss (60%+ sheen) is uncommon in modern residential flooring. It shows every footprint, every dust particle, and every scratch. High-gloss floors were standard in the 1970s and 1980s; they have largely disappeared from residential use except in some commercial applications.
The finish applied in the factory (most commonly a UV-cured aluminum oxide or water-based polyurethane) is far more durable than site-applied finishes. Factory finishes carry a manufacturer's warranty, typically 25 years to lifetime for the finish layer, whereas a floor finished on-site by a contractor may need refreshing within 5–10 years.
How Ontario's Climate Affects Solid Hardwood Performance
Ontario's climate is one of the most challenging in North America for solid hardwood floors. The humidity swings are significant: in summer, indoor humidity can reach 60–70% in older GTA homes without air conditioning; in winter, with forced-air heating running, indoor humidity can drop to 20–30% in the depths of January and February.
Wood is a hygroscopic material — it absorbs and releases moisture constantly, expanding when humidity is high and contracting when it is low. In Ontario, this cycle repeats every year. Solid hardwood planks can gap slightly in winter (small cracks between boards), then expand and close in summer. This is normal and expected for solid wood floors in this climate.
What is not normal is excessive gapping, cupping, crowning, or buckling — all signs that the floor experienced moisture levels outside its tolerance. To minimize seasonal movement:
- Acclimatize the wood: Solid hardwood must sit in the home for 3–7 days before installation, in the rooms where it will be installed, with the HVAC running at normal living conditions. This allows the wood to reach equilibrium with the home's ambient moisture before it is nailed down.
- Maintain indoor humidity: Ideally between 35–55% year-round. A whole-home humidifier on the forced-air system is the most effective solution for GTA homes with solid hardwood.
- Use rugs in problem areas: South-facing windows, in front of patio doors, and in very dry rooms can accelerate wear in winter. Rugs distribute foot traffic and reduce direct exposure to low-humidity air.
- Watch for standing water: Solid hardwood and water do not mix. Wipe up spills promptly, and ensure no plumbing leaks are affecting the subfloor.
Installation: What You Need to Know Before Buying
Solid hardwood is not a DIY project for most homeowners. It requires a plywood subfloor (typically 5/8" or 3/4" CDX or OSB, properly fastened to joists, flat within 3/16" over 10 feet), nail or staple fastening at a 45-degree angle through the tongue, and a ½" expansion gap around the perimeter hidden under baseboard trim. Professional installation of solid hardwood at Top Floorings Depot is $2.00/sqft, which includes the nail-down installation to a proper plywood subfloor. Baseboard removal and reinstallation is additional at $2.80/linear foot.
If you are renovating a main floor or upper level in a GTA home and want real hardwood, solid is the authentic choice — but make sure your subfloor is ready and budget for professional installation.
Our Top Picks at Top Floorings Depot
Based on the species, grades, and finishes available at our showroom, here are the solid hardwood options that represent the best value and performance for different homeowner needs:
For first-time buyers on a budget — Appalachian Red Oak Excel, 4¼", Natural ($5.39/sqft)
The entry point into real Canadian solid hardwood. Natural is a clean, light oak tone that works with almost any paint colour and decor style. Excel grade gives enough character to look natural without the premium price of Prestige. Each box covers 18.9 sqft.
For families with kids and pets — Appalachian Hard Maple Prestige, 4¼", Toffee ($5.49/sqft)
The hardest domestic species we carry, with a warm caramel brown tone that reads as contemporary but not trendy. The Prestige grade keeps the floor looking clean and consistent. Toffee is one of our most popular Hard Maple colours because it works in both modern and transitional settings.
For modern renovations — Lauzon Hard Maple, 4¼", Smokey Grey ($5.69/sqft)
A cooler, more contemporary take on Hard Maple. Smokey Grey has a grey-brown tone that pairs beautifully with charcoal, navy, and cool white paint schemes — the current preferred palette in GTA condo and townhome renovations.
For character and rustic charm — Seasons Red Oak Select, 3¼", Choco Brown ($5.49/sqft)
The 3¼" narrow plank format suits older GTA homes — semis, century homes, and character properties — perfectly. Choco Brown is a deep, warm brown that reads almost like walnut at a fraction of the price. Select grade means you'll see some natural character without going full character grade.
For the premium look — Appalachian White Oak Prestige, 4¼", Paisley ($5.69/sqft)
White Oak with a Prestige grade gives you the cooler tones of White Oak with the clean, consistent appearance of the top grade. Paisley is a warm mid-brown with subtle grey undertones — one of the more sophisticated-looking floors in our solid hardwood lineup.
Pricing Guide: What to Expect to Pay for Solid Hardwood in Ontario in 2026
Solid hardwood pricing in the GTA depends on species, grade, and width. Here is what you can expect at Top Floorings Depot in 2026:
| Species | Grade | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Red Oak | Excel | $5.39/sqft |
| Red Oak | Prestige | $5.69/sqft |
| Hard Maple | Prestige | $5.49/sqft |
| White Oak | Prestige | $5.69/sqft |
| Hickory | Character | $5.49/sqft |
| Red Oak | Character | $5.49/sqft |
Installation adds $2.00/sqft for nail-down over plywood. Baseboard removal and reinstallation runs approximately $2.80/linear foot.
Full project example: 1,000 sqft of Appalachian Red Oak Prestige (4¼", Gunstock) + professional nail-down installation ($2.00/sqft) + baseboard removal/reinstall (approximately $600 for a typical 1,000 sqft main floor) = roughly $7,850–$8,500 total. This is in line with the going rate for solid hardwood installation across the GTA and significantly less than Home Depot's installed prices on comparable products.
Visit Top Floorings Depot
Top Floorings Depot
3781 Victoria Park Avenue, Unit 1, Toronto, ON M1W 3K5
www.topfloorings.com
Call 416-499-0117 | Text 416-770-8819
Showroom Hours: Monday–Friday 9–5:30 | Saturday 9–4 | Sunday Closed
We serve homeowners and contractors across Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Mississauga, and Brampton. Come to our showroom to see and feel the solid hardwood products in person — colours and grades look very different under showroom lighting than they do in online photos. Our team can help you compare species, grades, and finishes side by side and give you a precise installed cost estimate for your project.
Follow us on Instagram @topflooringsdepotgta to see completed installations. Leave us a Google review if you have purchased from us — we read every one and appreciate the feedback from GTA homeowners and contractors.