25 Dec Hardwood That Creates a Natural Look

The number of hard woods used in flooring is almost endless. Hardwood floors were the norm for many centuries as a mark of wealth. When newer materials were manufactured, wood fell out of favor in the U.S., but made a comeback in the 1980s and 1990s. Some types of wood produce a more natural looking appearance.

Oak

Different species of oak have different color variations. Considered a light wood in coloration, it comes in shades of white and gray to soft brown, with some species having a pinkish appearance. Oak is the most often utilized wood for natural look flooring.

Maple

Not as commonly used as oak, those that choose maple for their hardwood floors cherish its appearance due to its fine, subtle grain pattern. Maple is typically creamy white in coloration, but can darken to light brown. While all maples are hardwoods, the level of hardness varies among species.

Hickory

The wood of the hickory tree is highly prized as the hardest of U.S. domestic woods and the 2^nd hardest in North America. It’s surpassed only by black ironwood that grows in Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean area. Hickory has an unusually straight grain, that may also contain some “waves.”

American Black Walnut

The wood is so highly sought that individual trees can often sell for thousands of dollars. The heartwood can vary in color from a pale brown with darker streaks to rich, chocolate. The sapwood is a pale yellowish-gray to white. It’s considered one of the softer hardwoods and makes a statement in any environment.

Beech

The fine, tight grain of beech wood makes it a popular choice for those that desire a natural look. Beech wood can vary in color from a light cream to tannish brown, combined with pinkish-orange tones. The orange becomes muted over time and the wood takes on amber tones.