05 Jul Various Hardwood Species and Which is Best for Your Floors

If you are thinking of getting new hardwood floors for your home, you’ve come to the right place! One of the easiest ways to give your home a traditional look while still keeping a new feeling is to utilize hardwood for your accents and flooring. Having a hardwood flooring installation company that has a wide selection of flooring types and species is the best way to customize your home. Some of the more standard flooring species that we will be discussing here include hickory, maple, and oak; however, we will also be looking at a few of the more unique flooring options as well. Each type of wood has its own unique properties, durability, and looks, making various woods right for different situations and rooms.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a type of hardwood derived from a kind of grass. Manufacturers create hardwood flooring by processing this grass into fibers which they then press into planks.  

• The Pros
  • Durability
  • Clean contemporary look and feel
  • Easily cleanable with a mop and broom
  • Can be refinished
• The Cons
  • Low-quality bamboo may not be as durable
  • Bamboo absorbs water easily which makes it easily damageable in areas with high humidity
  • Some people dislike the look of bamboo
  • Bamboo flooring does not come in as many color varieties.

Birch

Construction projects have been using Birchwood for a long time. The bark of this tree is often used for roofing, shoe bottoms, and canoes while its sap is beneficial in birch beer, insecticides, and tar. Additionally, like many other kinds of wood, Birchwood can be used as flooring.

• The advantages
  • There are many birch trees around the world, and they are a fast-growing tree making them a more renewable resource.
  • The grain markings in birch wood are very distinctive, and most people find it very appealing.
  • Due to the light color of birch, it is easily stainable to meet any color you are looking to add to your home.
• The Problems
  • Birch is one of the softer hardwoods. This does not have to be a con; however, it does mean that birch wood is not as durable as other species.
  • The wood of the birch tree easily shrinks and expands with moisture which could leave small cracks or gaps in your flooring.

Cherry

Cherry wood, procured from cherry fruit trees, is most widely known for its soft and beautiful color.

• The Pros
  • Its beauty and color
  • Deepening tones
• The Cons
  • Softness
  • Lack of durability

Hickory

Like oak and maple, hickory is a common species of wood used for furniture making and flooring. It has some unique characteristics.

• The Advantages
  • A bolder look
  • Sold as wider planks
  • Suitable for high traffic areas
• The Problems
  • Is typically only sold in wider planks
  • Can be more challenging to install

Maple

Maple is one of the more commonly used woods. It comes in many varieties and is often found in furniture, cabinets, and flooring.

• The Pros
  • Customizable hardwood floors
  • Harder wood options mean more durability
  • Higher durability makes it longer lasting than softer hardwoods
• The Cons
  • Does not always have its final coloring when installed.
  • Of the more common woods, like oak, and hickory, maple is the most resistant to stain.

Oak

Absolutely, one of the most common woods seen in hardwood flooring, oak is one of the least expensive flooring options when it comes to hardwood options.

• The Advantages
  • Affordable
  • Beautiful classic look
  • Harder wood
• The Problems
  • Oak is not naturally pest resistant
  • More common, therefore gives a less unique feel to your home

More Species

Kuhn Flooring caries even more options for hardwood flooring than discussed here. Contact one of our friendly and professional sales representatives today to discuss what other species we carry. Additionally, we offer design consultations and will work with you to find new hardwood ideas and inspirations that fit your home today!

Kuhn Flooring and Hardwood Floors for Your Home

Choosing a type of flooring seems like it should be very cut and dry, but unfortunately, what is right for one person and one room, may not be right for another person or another room. Each situation warrants considering the properties and qualities of each type of hardwood and carefully selecting the correct durability and appearance that suits you.

At Kuhn Flooring, we have many different flooring styles combined with affordable and competitive pricing. This makes it more cost-effective than ever to add the beauty of hardwood to your home. With over 30 years in the flooring business, Kuhn Flooring has the highest quality flooring services in Florida. In addition to hardwood, we also carry carpeting, laminate, vinyl, and tile floor options. Contact our expert design and installation team to get started on your home flooring project today!