Choosing the Right Type of Wood for Your Hardwood Floors

So, you’ve decided to go with hardwood flooring in your home…excellent choice! The durability, natural beauty and variety of options available make hardwoods great selections. But before you proceed, it’s important to consider which is the right hardwood flooring wood for your home. In this regard, perhaps the most important decision involves a hardwood’s “hardness” factor. But at the same time, there are several other considerations to take into account. The texture and gram of a wood matter as does its ability to achieve a particular style. And naturally, there are usually cost aspects to consider as well. While the following isn’t necessarily a comprehensive guide in choosing the right hardwood flooring wood, it’s certainly a good start.

Making the “Hard” Choice

When selecting a specific wood type for your hardwood flooring, a key consideration is the wood’s hardness and density. As it turns out, each wood is ranked according to a Janka Hardness Scale with higher numbers indicating harder woods. Harder woods are naturally more resistant to denting and general wear. Therefore, high traffic areas may benefit from these woods. Softer woods, on the other hand, may not be as dense but still offer specific benefits. With this in mind, common hardwoods that rank high on the scale include Brazilian redwood, Hickory, Maple, and Brazilian chestnut. Softer woods include White pine, Black cherry, Black walnut and heart pine. And many others span the spectrum of hardness and durability. Depending on specific needs, the hardness of a wood plays a significant role in finding the right hardwood flooring wood. For most homeowners, this is the first step in determining which wood might be best.

Is the Hardwood a Good Aesthetic Fit?

One of the other important factors related to choosing the right hardwood flooring word for your home involves aesthetics. Did you know that some hardwoods are routinely considered more modern while others more traditional? For modern home styles, common wood choices include maple, gray-stained oak and white oak. These hardwoods are light and offer a more spacious look. Plus, these are often less knotty, which is associated with a more sleek and modern feel. In contrast, other woods are considered more traditional like hickory and pine. These often come in wider planks, have richer tones, and reflect a more knotty appearance. As a result, these hardwoods provide a more rustic and classic look. Other aesthetic decisions may also pertain to how well a particular hardwood stains. For example, maple is a great hardwood for some homes but stains poorly. Others, like oak, allow you to consider a variety of stains and colors. As you can see, choosing the right hardwood flooring wood also requires some forethought about design aesthetics. 

Cost and Accessibility Aspects

For most people thinking about hardwood flooring, there are limits on choice from a budget perspective. They might want Brazilian redwood, but once they see the price per square foot, it’s obvious this isn’t reasonable. With this in mind, the more affordable hardwoods currently include Maple, White Oak, and Beech. Those at the higher end of the spectrum include those like Black Walnut, Brazilian Koa, and American Cherry. Of course, everything is relative when choosing the right hardwood flooring wood for your home. Despite the cost, if durability and aesthetics work, a specific wood might deserve consideration. After all, hardwood flooring is lasting, and your choice will create a specific feel and ambience. The added expense may be worth it, or it might not be. But regardless, knowing your budget is another important step in selecting the right hardwood flooring wood for your home. Go to hardwood floor refinishing austin.

Some Other Related Hardwood Decisions

In addition to the above considerations, there are few other factors that may influence your hardwood selection. For example, different hardwoods can be texturized to provide different looks and feels. Some can offer a shiny, polished look while others might have a more weathered texture. Likewise, different hardwoods routinely come in different plank sizes. It’s most common today to see many hardwoods being offered in narrow boards less than 3” in width. Narrower planks often provide a greater illusion of space. But others are offered in wider planks that may look more classic and traditional. Wood grains are other aesthetic features that may influence you in choosing the right hardwood flooring wood. Certainly, there are many things to think about when making this decision. And a designer and hardwood specialist can definitely help you in this regard. With a bit of forethought and guidance, you’ll be able to be confident that your hardwood flooring selection was best for you.