Solid wood is one solid piece of wood made from one particular species (for example oak, maple, or hickory). It is typically 3/4 of an inch thick but can be as thin as 5/16 of an inch. Solid wood floors can be sanded and refinished a few times by a professional sander and refinisher. These types of floors can be purchased unfinished or pre-finished. Unfinished solid wood can be sanded in place and custom stained to a desired color. Pre-finished solid wood comes in natural colors or pre determined stained colors and top coated with a factory finish. There are hundreds of different varieties of solid wood that can be manufactured into flooring. Solid wood is more common in the northern parts of the United States.