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.
Our verdict
When to Choose Sheoga vs Mullican
Choose Sheoga if…
- 1You want solid wide-plank hardwood in widths from 5″ to 12″+
- 2Custom plank width is important — Sheoga mills to order
- 3Ohio-made, Appalachian-sourced American hardwood matters to you
- 4The floor is the design centerpiece of the room
- 5You want unfinished solid hardwood for a custom on-site stain
Choose Mullican if…
- 1You want better value on standard-width solid hardwood (3″–4″)
- 2You need engineered hardwood for a Michigan basement or radiant heat
- 3More collection variety and finish options matter
- 4Budget is a primary consideration
- 5You want a broader range of prefinished options
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | Sheoga | Mullican | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max plank width | 12″+ custom | 7″ | Sheoga |
| Construction type | Solid only | Solid + engineered | Mullican (versatility) |
| Material price | $6–$14/sq ft | $4–$10/sq ft | Mullican (value) |
| Specialization | Wide-plank specialist | Broad range generalist | Sheoga (focus) |
| Radiant heat option | No (solid only) | Yes (engineered) | Mullican |
| Origin | Ohio / Appalachian | Tennessee / Appalachian | Tie |
| Michigan availability | Quality Hardwoods | Quality Hardwoods | Tie |
Sheoga vs Mullican: 6 Key Differences for Michigan Homeowners
Manufacturing Location
Sheoga is made in Ohio from Appalachian hardwoods — truly local to the Great Lakes region. Mullican is made in Johnson City, Tennessee, also from Appalachian hardwoods. Both are American-made with strong regional wood sourcing.
Specialization
Sheoga specializes exclusively in custom wide-plank solid hardwood — it is their only product. Mullican offers a broader range including solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and multiple collections at different price points. Sheoga is the specialist; Mullican is the generalist.
Plank Width Range
Sheoga offers widths from 3" to 12"+ in custom sizes — the widest range of any solid hardwood manufacturer. Mullican offers standard widths from 3" to 7" depending on collection. For truly wide-plank solid hardwood, Sheoga is unmatched.
Price Range
Sheoga: $6-$14/sq ft material depending on species and width. Mullican: $4-$10/sq ft material. Sheoga commands a premium for its custom wide-plank specialization. Mullican offers better value for standard-width solid hardwood.
Species Selection
Sheoga offers Oak (red and white), Hickory, Walnut, Maple, Cherry, and Ash in custom widths. Mullican offers Oak, Hickory, Maple, and Walnut across multiple collections. Both offer excellent species variety.
Best For
Choose Sheoga for: custom wide-plank solid hardwood, maximum plank width, American-made quality, and projects where the floor is the design centerpiece. Choose Mullican for: better value on standard widths, engineered hardwood options, and projects with tighter budgets.
Sheoga Advantages
- ✓Custom wide-plank widths up to 12"+
- ✓Ohio-made from Appalachian hardwoods
- ✓Unfinished and prefinished options
- ✓Specialist manufacturer — only does hardwood
- ✓Exceptional quality control on wide-plank
Mullican Advantages
- ✗Broader product range including engineered
- ✗Better value on standard-width solid hardwood
- ✗More collections at different price points
- ✗Tennessee-made American craftsmanship
- ✗Wider availability through more dealers
Frequently Asked Questions
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