Types of Hardwood Flooring – A World of Choices
Once you have decided on hardwood as the flooring solution for your home, you now have to choose between different types of hardwood flooring. The wide range of colors, textures and hardness can make the process somewhat overwhelming. Learn the factors you should consider before choosing a hardwood species in this video from BuildDirect.
Let’s take a closer look at how hardness is determined and then review the features of several popular hardwood species.
Janka Hardness Scale
The Janka Hardness Scale is based on a test in which a .444″ steel ball is pressed into the hardwood at a constant pressure. Softer woods allow the ball to be embedded more deeply. Although the pressure applied during this test is more extreme than that applied to flooring on a normal daily basis, it gives a rough indication of how much wear a given species can endure. The higher the rating, the harder the wood. Ebony has a high rating of 3692, while American Black Cherry has a low rating of 950. Maple and oak fall in between these ratings, with white oak being slightly harder than red oak.
Species
Hard maple is strong, has a fine uniform texture and is abrasion- and wear-resistant. It is the lightest of all maple species and comes in shades of rich brown ranging from light to dark with reddish highlights.
Black walnut is widely available in North America and is known for its dark luster and close-grain appearance. Colors range from light golden to deep golden brown to dark chocolate hues; grains vary from straight to wavy patterns. It can be nailed, cut or glued and stains easily. It is not recommended for high traffic areas as it is not as hard as other hardwood species.
American cherry is a popular choice not only for hardwood flooring but also for paneling and cabinetry. Cherry comes in colors ranging from off-white to reddish tones and darkens with age. It is easy to work with, but as it is a softer hardwood it is not recommended for high traffic areas.
Oak comes in two species, white and red. White oak is light in color with brown highlights and is strong and durable. Red oak is also resistant to wear and is easy to stain. It comes in colors ranging from off-white to light brown.
Yellow birch is somewhat more golden in color than other birch species and has creamy white highlights and a fine uniform texture. It often features a distinctive curling pattern in the grain.
White ash is dense and strong and stands up well to heavy foot traffic. It has a grain pattern similar to that of red oak without the pinkish tones and is lighter than white oak with colors ranging from blonde cream to light brown with amber highlights.
Brazilian cherry, or jatoba, has distinctive coloring in various lustrous deep reds, burgundies and reddish browns. Together with its density and hardness, these qualities make it a decorative hardwood of choice for homeowners who want flooring with a high-end exotic look. Like American cherry, Brazilian cherry is photosensitive and will darken with age.
The type of hardwood flooring that you choose will reflect your personal style and define your living space for years to come. Take the time to research different flooring products online to ensure you select the right hardwood with the features you want and at a price that best suits your budget.
