As various hardwood species, colors, and finishes are available, choosing the right one for your home can be overwhelming. Factors like living near the beach, having a small space or owning pets can also influence your decision. This blog will help you choose the right kind of hardwood flooring species for your home.
Consider Traditional Kinds of Hardwood Flooring
First and foremost, you must consider the main two types of hardwood flooring – solid and engineered hardwood. Both have their advantages depending on your home location and foot traffic.
- Solid hardwood – Each board consists of a single solid wood plank. Usually, you can sand those down while refinishing the same occasionally. However, solid hardwood is porous. That means it can warp over time, especially if you live in humid areas. If your home is near the beach, solid hardwood isn’t the best choice for flooring.
- Engineered hardwood – This type of hardwood is manufactured wood with a thickness of 4mm and is made of natural wood. The middle of the planks are made up of man-made plywood. They are usually five to seven layers thick, making them resilient and stable. Engineered hardwood can prevent warping, which makes it a better choice for damp areas like laundry and basement rooms. Compared to solid wood, it’s a bit less expensive. Generally, the price ranges between $3-$10 per square foot.
Types of Hardwood Floor Species
When it comes to choosing the perfect hardwood flooring, there are several classic species that you can consider. Here’s some of them:
- White Oak – It’s considered a “harder” wood, perfect for high-traffic areas. It can vary in color and grain pattern from one board to another.
- Red oak – It’s a common hardwood flooring option. The warm color tone can leave your room looking mesmerized. Also, color variations and visible graining are critical when choosing the same for flooring.
- Hickory – This would be the perfect option if you’re looking for homegrown hardwood floor species. Density and strong shock resistance make it ideal for hardwood flooring. From creamy white to gorgeous deep brown, hickory has strong color contrast. It’s also good at retaining stain, which means it can fit your home décor irrespective of various color options.
- Maple – Being one of the hardest hardwood species, it can cover the highest traffic areas in your home. Generally, they are very pale and have a warm hue. The graining is very light, which is not noticeable sometimes.
- American cherry – This tree is grown and harvested in North America. It’s a softer hardwood species with a distinctive appearance. The color tones and natural graining can vary from board to board.
- Brazilian cherry – It’s one of the exotic species for hardwood flooring with its color variation options. Mostly, the color trends are brown and reddish with a “lighter” color highlight.
- Santos mahogany – It’s similar to Brazilian cherry, with a distinct color variation among the boards. However, it’s a little bit more toned than the cherry. Color variation tends to be orange and medium brown in this exotic species.
Key Takeaways
While considering the right type of hardwood flooring, consider the options mentioned above. Following the advice above and making careful considerations, you can be confident you’re making a wise investment in your home to stand the test of time.
- Engineered wood is the most durable.
- Small pieces seem bigger with lighter finishes.
- The floor’s texture and finish can create a big difference.
- Consider different hardwood floor species to fit into your budget.
If you’re looking for a flooring expert in the Fort Collins area, Fritzel Flooring can help you pair down all the options you have for your home. Let us know what your preference is to guide you accordingly. To know more, visit our website today.
