Another choice you can go with is engineered wood. This material has a solid wood veneer on the very top, attached to a backing material that makes it a little more forgiving than solid wood. Engineered flooring can be placed in basements and other areas where solid cannot go, as it doesn’t react in the same way.
Another choice for you is what species of wood to pick. There are many different domestic and exotic species available, each with different characteristics, and it’s a sure bet that one will fit your needs better than all the others. With different grain patterns, natural colors and densities, there are also some that hold stains better than others do, and some that are more or less resistant to heavy warping.
One of the last choices is which finish to choose. There are several to choose from, and each one has benefits that might make one more appealing than the rest.