Types of hardwood flooring

If you are thinking of installing hardwood flooring in your home, you need to know that there is a huge variety of woods available in the market for the purpose. Each has its own characteristics which mean that they each have their set of advantages and disadvantages. While it is impossible to list all the varieties of wood available, this article will discuss the most common ones used in the home for flooring.

Red oak

Red oak is the most widely used hardwood flooring in the country. It has a coarse grain and is red-brown in color. It is extremely popular because it is very durable and can stand up to regular wear and tear very well. It is extremely stiff and dense. However, it is not as durable as white oak. Dark woods such as red oak are best used in formal areas of the house while light wood is best used in more casual settings.

White oak

White oak is brown and usually has a slight grayish cast about it. It has similar coarse graining like red oak. It is also very durable and is more resistant to wear than red oak in addition to being harder and denser. It will also have burls and swirls in its grain.

Birch

Birch comes in a range of colors that can go from lighter yellows to a deep dark brown-red. It is a strong wood but is slightly softer than red oak and white oak. It is pretty durable but again, not as durable as red oak or white oak.

Beech

Beech is reddish brown in color and its grain is very consistent. It has a lot of shock resistance and does not break easily. It is also durable and can last for several decades if taken good care of.

Pine

Pine comes in a yellowish brown color. It has graining that consists of knots and swirls. Pine is naturally resistant to insects which make it a great wood for outdoor areas. It also as hard as red oak which makes it durable and resistant to wear.

Cherry

Cherry is another popular variety of wood used for flooring in homes. It comes in a light brown color and is a soft wood. It is best used for decorative accents around the house instead of a whole floor because it is soft wood and is not as durable as some of the other varieties of wood.

Make an informed choice when selecting a hardwood for your floors. Ask an interior decorator or contractor about the aesthetics and practicalities of each type of wood.