If you’re thinking of putting in hardwood , you can’t go wrong. All types of hardwood floors have natural beauty and go with any decor — modern, traditional, country, you name it. Hardwood flooring goes in any room, although kitchens and basements warrant special considerations.Some of the most common types of hardwood floors include:
• Oak –
Oak is one of the most popular types of hardwood flooring. It comes in many varieties like red oak, white oak, pin oak and bur oak. Oak is hard, strong and durable with a tight grain. It tends to darken with age and use. Oak pairs well with traditional and rustic styles.
• Maple –
Maple hardwood floors are attractive, strong and resistant to damage. The wood grain is tight and even, and it comes in brown or white maple. Maple is a hardwood that is stable in temperature and humidity changes. It pairs with contemporary, transitional and country styles.
• Cherry –
Cherry hardwood has a reddish tone and beautiful grain patterns. It darkens over time with use but remains stable and durable. Cherry goes well with traditional, rustic and contemporary styles. It requires excellent maintenance to avoid scratching/denting the soft surface.
• Hickory –
Hickory has a distinctive visual appeal with grain patterns that include heartwood, sapwood and brown/yellow tones. It is very hard and durable with excellent stability. Hickory floors are rustic in style and are easy to maintain. They withstand heavy use and temperature changes without damage.
• Walnut –
Walnut hardwood floors have a deep brown tone and fine, tight grain with distinctive patterns. Walnut is resistant to scratches and stains but can dent or chip at edges/corners due to its hardness. It pairs well with traditional, country and craftsman styles. Walnut floors require experience to install and maintain without damage.
• Bamboo –
Bamboo hardwood floors are made from compressed bamboo fibers. They are warm in tone, durable and shock resistant. Bamboo floors provide cushioning for comfort and come in a range of styles from planks to tile formats. They are waterproof and environmentally friendly but can dent at edges/corners. Bamboo pairs well with contemporary styles.
• Teak –
Teak wood has a tropical appearance with a golden brown tone and distinctive grain patterns. It is extremely durable and weather resistant, able to withstand high-humidity and outdoor use. Teak floors tend to be expensive and require noticeable maintenance, such as periodic oiling, to maintain the beautiful wood surface. Teak has a stylish rustic appeal.
• Planks vs Strips vs Parquet –
The style of wood flooring also varies in strip, plank or parquet configuration. Planks are long, wide boards. Strips are narrower bars. Parquet are smaller square tiles in mosaic patterns. Wood types, colors and thicknesses also come in all three styles for diverse options.
