Brand Comparison — Rochester Hills Showroom
Sheoga vs Mullican Hardwood Flooring
Two American hardwood brands with different strengths. Here's how to choose between them.
Direct Answer
Sheoga or Mullican — which is better for a Michigan home?
Both are American-made hardwood brands with strong reputations. Sheoga's key advantage is custom milling — Ohio-based, they can produce rift-sawn and quartersawn white oak in custom widths up to 7"+ that most brands don't offer, and their solid construction is appropriate for Michigan projects where solid is specified. Mullican is a larger brand with broader species and finish options, stronger retail recognition, and a well-established engineered line. For custom-width rift/quartered white oak or solid hardwood in non-standard dimensions, Sheoga. For a wider species selection and more finish options in a well-known brand, Mullican.
— Mike Solomich, Head of Sales, Quality Hardwoods of Michigan
At a Glance
| Attribute | Sheoga | Mullican |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Ohio, USA | Tennessee, USA |
| Construction | Solid & engineered | Solid & engineered |
| Primary species | White oak, red oak, hickory, walnut, maple, ash, cherry | White oak, red oak, hickory, walnut, maple |
| Rift/quartered white oak | Yes — standard offering | Select collections |
| Custom widths | Yes — up to 7"+ custom | Standard widths |
| Herringbone | Yes | Select collections |
| Radiant heat (engineered) | Yes | Yes |
| Price range (material) | $5–$14/sq ft | $5–$13/sq ft |
| Michigan dealer | Quality Hardwoods of Michigan | Quality Hardwoods of Michigan |
Brand Profiles
Sheoga: Custom Milling, Rift & Quartered Specialist
Strengths
- Ohio-based mill — custom widths and cuts available that most brands don't offer
- Rift-sawn and quartersawn white oak as a standard offering, not a special order
- Herringbone format available in white oak
- Solid construction for projects that require it — appropriate for Michigan at standard widths
- Full species range including ash and cherry — less common at other mills
Considerations
- Smaller brand footprint than Mullican — less consumer name recognition
- Custom orders require lead time
- Fewer prefinished finish options than Mullican's full catalog
Best for
Projects that require rift-sawn or quartersawn white oak. Custom-width solid hardwood. Herringbone in American white oak. Contractors and designers who want mill-direct quality at distributor pricing.
Mullican: Broader Range, Stronger Brand Recognition
Strengths
- One of the most recognized American hardwood brands — strong consumer and contractor familiarity
- Broader finish and color range across prefinished collections
- Engineered line (Castillian, Nordic Naturals, Tennessee Artisan) with strong Michigan suitability
- Wide species selection including hickory and walnut in multiple grades
- Strong resale recognition — buyers often recognize the Mullican name
Considerations
- Less flexibility on custom widths and cuts than Sheoga
- Rift/quartered white oak is a more limited offering than Sheoga
- Engineered line is the better choice for Michigan wide-plank; solid at wide widths has the same climate limitations as any solid hardwood
Best for
Projects that want a well-known American brand. Broader finish and color selection. Engineered hardwood in standard widths. Homeowners who want strong resale recognition.
Common Questions
Can I get rift-sawn white oak from both Sheoga and Mullican?
Sheoga offers rift-sawn and quartersawn white oak as a standard product line. Mullican offers rift/quartered in select collections. For a project where rift or quartered grain is the specification, Sheoga is the more reliable source.
Which is better for Michigan's climate?
For engineered hardwood, both perform comparably in Michigan's humidity range. For solid hardwood, both are appropriate at standard widths (under 5") with proper HVAC control. At wide widths (6"+), engineered from either brand is the correct specification for Michigan.
Does Sheoga make herringbone hardwood?
Yes. Sheoga offers herringbone-format white oak. It's one of the few American hardwood mills that produces herringbone as a standard product rather than a special order.
Which is less expensive — Sheoga or Mullican?
Both brands are in a similar price range for comparable products. Sheoga purchased at distributor pricing through our showroom is typically competitive with Mullican at retail. Custom-width or rift/quartered Sheoga may carry a modest premium over standard Mullican products.
Where can I see Sheoga and Mullican samples in Michigan?
Both brands are stocked at our Rochester Hills showroom at 1799 Northfield Dr. We can pull samples from both brands for a direct comparison. Call (248) 853-2232 or visit the showroom.
Related Comparisons & Resources
See Both Brands in Person
The only way to make this decision is to hold the samples. Visit our Rochester Hills showroom — we carry all the brands and can walk you through the differences in person.
1799 Northfield Dr, Rochester Hills, MI 48309