Hardwood flooring is a timeless and durable choice for homes and businesses. With so many types of hardwood available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. From classic oak to exotic Brazilian cherry, each type of hardwood has unique features and benefits.
Some are more durable and resistant to wear, while others offer striking color variations and grain patterns. Understanding the different types of hardwood flooring can help you make an informed decision that meets your needs and enhances the beauty of your space. In this guide, we will explore the characteristics of various hardwoods, their applications, and how to choose the right one for your project.
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Types of Hardwood Flooring
The most popular types of hardwood flooring on the market are:
- Ash Hardwood Flooring
- Bitch Hardwood Flooring
- Cherry Hardwood Flooring
- Maple Hardwood Flooring
- Douglas Hardwood Flooring
- Hickory Hardwood Flooring
- Oak Hardwood Flooring
- Mahogany Hardwood Flooring
- Pine Hardwood Flooring
- Walnut Hardwood Flooring
- Teak Hardwood Flooring
- Ebony Hardwood Flooring
- Beech Hardwood Flooring
- Alder Hardwood Flooring
- Poplar Hardwood Flooring
Ash Hardwood Flooring
If you want something different than maple or oak but do not want to go far as exotic hardwood floors from another continent, consider domestic ash, this ash type of hardwood flooring is hard, durably affordable, and also suitable for heavy traffic areas.
There is a wide range of ash hardwood available in the market, but the main disadvantage is that it’s available in a light color so that requires frequent cleaning.
Birch Hardwood Flooring
These birch hardwoods come in light color, straight grain, and very fine size grain and it holds stain very well, also it is suitable for minimal moisture area because it is prone to expand and contract when changes in temperature and humidity levels.
Cherry Hardwood Flooring
Cherry Hardwood is the most popular type of hardwood, cheery is available in different species like Brazilian cherry, American cherry, and others; the Brazilian type cherry wood is one of the most durable types of cheery wood.
This cheery wood has a pink to reddish brown color and wavy grain which adds natural elegance to the flooring but it is an expensive type of wood.
Maple Hardwood Flooring
This Maple wood is one of the most distinctive types of hardwood; it is available in creamy white to reddish brown in color, and also has a uniform texture that works great with stains if properly sealed.
This maple hardwood flooring is scratchproof and easily dents the surface so it is great for high-traffic areas.
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Walnut Hardwood Flooring
This walnut hardwood flooring has deep brown colors that tend to make the room cozier and warmer, it is the best choice for that places receive lots of sunlight.
This walnut hardwood flooring is light in weight so it is ideal for an upper story a soft walnut hardwood does scratches and it is not suitable for high-traffic areas.
Pine Hardwood Flooring
This pine hardwood flooring has a dark yellowish-brown color that works well with any stain, also it features interesting swirls and knots in its grain pattern.
The pine wood is susceptible to scratches and dents which require more maintenance. Due to its abundance, also it is an affordable type of hardwood as compared to walnut and cherry wood.
Douglas fir Hardwood Flooring
This Douglas fir wood feature orange and brown hues, that hardwood species have a rustic look that complements any style.
It has a straight and pronounced grain and gives a uniform and attractive look to your floor, although the soft Douglas wood is relatively durable and it can be a long-lasting choice with proper care and precaution.
Hickory Hardwood Flooring
This hickory hardwood is more popular due to its durability, and it is the strongest and hardest species of hardwood, this wood is hard in nature so that requires more time to install it.
This hickory hardwood flooring range from medium tan to reddish brown, and also has a distinctive grain pattern.
Oak Hardwood Flooring
One of the most popular types of species that offers a timeless appeal and looks great with different interiors from traditional interior décor to contemporary style interior.
White oak and red oak is also popular types of hardwood flooring, it has a unique grain pattern, tighter and straighter grain, and are more durable.
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Mahogany Hardwood Flooring
Generally, mahogany wood has dark reddish brown color and its grain arrangement is fine and straight. While mahogany can be a more expansive type of hardwood.
It is more durable, hard, and a little bit pricey, but it lasts a long time so it is worth it types of hardwood flooring.
Teak Hardwood Flooring
This teak hardwood flooring is more durable, strongest, hardest, and natural shine and finish. Also, you can apply a varnish or stain that helps to hold natural oil.
Mostly many people select the naturally aged teak because it adds a unique blend to your house, but it is expansive in nature.
But the downside of teak wood is that it requires maintenance, you should apply oil teak every few years or months for maintaining its natural luster or shine of wood and it is a durable types of hardwood flooring so that easily bare the high traffic weight, that’s why it becoming more popular.
Alder Hardwood Flooring
These alder hardwood trees have a uniform and fine texture with straight grain patterns and a light tan to reddish brown color wood, the alder tree is a fast-growing tree it can easily reach up to 100 to 130 feet.
The alder hardwood tree is a less expensive alternative to maple, and cherry and common names are western alders, pacific coast alder, red alder, and Oregon alder.
Beech Hardwood Flooring
The beech hardwood is slow-growing wood it can reach heights up to 100 to 130 feet with a 3 to 5 feet diameter trunk, and the color of the wood is pale cream to pink or brown hues.
Also, it consists of straight grain and has a fine to medium texture making flooring durable and hard.
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Ebony Hardwood Flooring
The ebony hardwood has a deep red color and runs through the grain. It is extremely expensive due to its rarity and also this type of hardwood flooring is used to carve ornamental pieces, decorative items, and tribal masks.
Poplar Hardwood Flooring
This poplar wood is one of the largest types of hardwood flooring its average height is 130 to 160 feet and its trunk diameter is 6 to 8 feet, also known as Tulip Poplar and Yellow Poplar, and this wood is inexpensive in nature.
The poplar wood is widely available in light cream to yellowish brown in color with streaks of green, and gray and its grain is generally uniform and straight with a medium texture.
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FAQs:
What are the different types of hardwood flooring?
Some of the most popular types of hardwood flooring include oak, maple, cherry, hickory, walnut, and birch.
What is the most durable type of hardwood flooring?
Some of the most durable types of hardwood flooring include Brazilian cherry, hickory, and maple.
What type of hardwood flooring is best for high traffic areas?
Hardwoods with a high Janka hardness rating, such as Brazilian cherry and hickory, are great options for high traffic areas.
What is the most popular color of hardwood flooring?
Traditional colors such as natural, honey, and medium brown are popular choices for hardwood flooring, but gray and whitewashed finishes are also becoming more popular.
What is the difference between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood?
Solid hardwood is made from a single piece of wood and is typically more expensive, while engineered hardwood is made from layers of wood with a veneer on top and is more affordable.
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