You’re looking to install a hardwood floor. You’re ready to buy the materials. But did you know that there are many different types of hardwood floors?
There are, and before you choose one, you have to do your due diligence in researching them. Fortunately, we can help you with that matter. So, without further ado, here are your hardwood flooring options and everything you need to know about them.
Red Oak
We’ll start by discussing red oak, the most common hardwood flooring material in existence. Possessing a reddish-brown color, it brings warmth and prestige to a home.
But it’s not just aesthetically pleasing; it’s functionally impressive as well. Highly durable, it can thrive for over 100 years. And though hit’s not exceedingly hard, it can withstand the effects of constant foot traffic.
One issue with red oak, however, is that it lacks water resistance. As such, if you spill something on it, you need to wipe it up as quickly as possible.
Cost-wise, it’s one of the cheaper hardwood flooring options in existence. Generally speaking, you can buy it for between $2 and $5 per square foot.
White Oak
White oak shares a lot of similarities with red oak. For instance, it’s highly durable and can last well over 100 years. Note, though, that it has many differences as well.
For one, white oak is harder than red oak. So, while it does a better job of resisting dents and dings, it’s not quite as comfortable to walk in.
In addition, white oak has a different appearance than red oak. Whereas red oak has a reddish-brown color, white oak has a more tan color. Nonetheless, it’s still luxurious to look at.
In terms of cost, white oak is a little more expensive than red oak. In most cases, it costs between $5 and $8 per square foot.
Walnut
Walnut is a little darker in appearance, possessing a dark brown color and long, vertical grain patterns. Its look is not quite as luxurious as oak’s, but it still looks great in most homes.
The strength of walnut is its water resistance. This wood rarely warps and can actually hold up reasonably well in water-centric rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.
It’s a fairly soft type of wood. As such, it dents and dings quite easily. Note, though, that due to its dark color, its dents and dings are difficult to see.
Walnut flooring generally lasts between 50 and 75 years. However, if you put it in a low-traffic room, it could last even longer.
Its price? Generally somewhere between $4 and $8 per square foot, a moderate price for hardwood flooring.
Cherry
Cherry is one of the more attractive hardwood flooring options. Possessing a smooth and shiny aesthetic as well as a brownish-red color, it can bring a whole new atmosphere to a room.
The issue with cherry wood is that it’s relatively soft. As such, it can become dented and dinged up within a matter of years. And though it’s dark aesthetic can do something to hide these dents and dings, they’re still bound to be fairly noticeable.
For this reason, it’s best to use cherry wood in low-traffic areas like bedrooms. Bedrooms get almost no traffic whatsoever, and so are usually able to maintain cherry wood flooring for between 30 and 50 years.
Maple
Maple has an intricate wood grain consisting of light and medium-tinted colors. That said, on the whole, it’s much lighter than it is dark.
In terms of functionality, maple flooring is fairly durable and fairly resistant to denting. Generally speaking, it lasts around 75 years. Note, however, that if used in low-traffic areas, it could persist for up to 100 years.
When it comes to water-resistance, maple is lacking. It will warp if subjected to water on a regular basis. As such, it’s better left out of kitchens and bathrooms.
All in all, this is a decent hardwood flooring material. If you like the look of this wood, it’s a solid option. If you’re not crazy about it, you should opt for something else.
Hickory
Hickory is a particularly unique type of wood. It has a definitive rustic feel to it and serves best in cabins and other such houses. Its grain pattern is varied, containing both light and dark components.
As far as durability goes, hickory is exceptional. One of the hardest woods in existence, it rarely ever dents or dings. Note, though, that it doesn’t perform well when exposed to water. For this reason, it should be kept out of kitchens and bathrooms.
If you’re looking to supply your home with a rustic feel, hickory should be toward the top of your list. It’s durable, it’s hard, and it’s reasonably priced, making it one of the better hardwood flooring materials available.
Engineered Wood
The last option we’re going to discuss is engineered wood. Engineered wood isn’t entirely authentic. It consists of wood pulp and synthetic particles. That said, it looks very similar to authentic wood and is available in a variety of styles.
The upside to engineered wood is that it’s resistant to all types of damage, from water damage to physical trauma and more. In addition, it’s fairly soft, making it comfortable to walk on.
If you’re alright with a faux wood appearance, engineered wood will suffice. It’s reasonably priced, highly functional, and will last for well over 50 years.
“Where can I find this flooring near me?”, you’re wondering. Just click that link and you’ll have arrived at the right place.
There Are All Types of Hardwood Floors
As you can see, there are all types of hardwood floors, each of which carries its own set of pros and cons. So, before you make your choice, compare them against one another and see which suits your home the best.
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