I'm also a bit granola and would like an option that's zero VOV

*VOC

You can refinish solid wood a few times, although if it’s a new install, hopefully not for a long time. Engineered is much thinner and less durable. Not sure how well mannered your dogs are in the house. The baby won’t care.

@shadywillow. Thanks for your feedback. I thought engineered was much better for water spills ? I worry about that a bit with small kids

As with many things in life, there is a wide range in quality in both engineered and site finished, so I would be weary of blanket statements like "I thought engineered was much better for water spills".

Define "water spills"? No floor will survive large amounts of water left for long periods of time!

I have owned 3 houses (on full basements) with site finished red oak floors, in various shades of brown. The floors did well with kids and dog messes. Last house we had 3 dogs, two in the 60 lb range and they scratched the floors. You only saw it in certain light and I just considered it patina. Never had any issues with any of those houses when spilling a whole glass/cup with liquid. Grab some towels and paper towels, wipe up and move on.

Current house, #4, we built in FL on a slab, so we needed to use engineered. I picked a medium brown with some distressing. I also picked a Hard Wax Oil finish, instead of poly. Which is another topic, with very divided opinions.

We have been in the house for 16 months. Still have the 3 dogs. Very happy with the floors so far. The big dogs have made a few scratches by the back sliders, but they are barely noticeable with the texture and finish on the floors. Dogs have thrown up with no damage to the floors. I have spilled a full mug of scalding tea all over the floor and easily wiped it all up with some towels and no damage to the floors.

If I had to build another house tomorrow and I could pick any kind of wood floor, I would choose the same engineered floor we used in the current house.

Bring sample boards home. I tested them with a key to see how easily they could be scratched and how noticeable any scratches were on that particular finish and/or color.

Depends on what's underneath the floor.

My floor is on a concrete slab and on a slab I wouldn't do anything but engineered. My floor here is 5 years old and still looks like new.

Engineered is not the "cheap" choice. A good quality engineered is always more expensive than solid wood, with a more predictable, and durable, finish. Good quality engineered can be refinished, but that ability is overblown. Most people move well before that 20 year time frame is up, and never tackle refinishing. But the next owner can, if needed.

Lauzon engineered floors. Kids, trykes, dogs, spills …3 yrs in

Another option is site finished engineered. I think we are about to go this route as it seems to be the best of both worlds - the stability of engineered (plus one of our levels is on a slab) but the no bevel, fully customized option of site finished. We haven’t gotten our quote yet, but I do get the impression that it’s going to be more expensive than solid hardwood.