Are you thinking about installing new floors in your home? If you want a classy look, then you should read about the different types of hardwood species! Each style brings a different kind of elegance that will completely transform your home.
Wood floors bring a certain warmth to a home that no other type of floor can. For that reason, installing hardwood floors is one of the best home improvement projects. Besides adding to your home’s beauty, it can also help increase its value.
Choose among the best types of wood to improve your floors. Read our blog to figure out which species would look best in your home. As a result, you’ll fall in love with your new and beautiful hardwood floors!
Different Types of Hardwood Species that Are Perfect for Your Home
When it comes to hardwood floors, there are a lot of factors to consider. Firstly, you need to decide if you want engineered or solid wood. Then, pick a wood species. Finally, decide the kind of finish and stain that you want for your floors. In this blog, we’ll only focus on the different species available.
There are a lot of wood species out there with different grain patterns and a variety of colors. When you’re choosing the type of wood you want for your floors you need to think about several things. These include the amount of traffic that the floors receive, type of furniture, and your taste. It’s very important that you choose a wooden floor that will complement the rest of your home’s décor.
Some of the different types of hardwood species are:
- Maple wood for light and creamy tones
- Mahogany wood for a classic look
- Oak wood with different tones
- Cherry wood for beautiful dark tones
- Walnut wood, perfect for hiding imperfections
- Ash wood with a very bold grain
Keep reading to learn more about each type!
Maple
We’ll start with one of the most popular types of wood floors. Maple is a favorite among homeowners because of its subtle grain pattern. This makes it an excellent option for any type of décor such as contemporary or traditional.
The colors that characterize the wood are beige, tan, or light cream. However, on some occasions, it has a reddish-tone. It has some dark streaks that give the wood an appealing look.
Maple works great in high-traffic areas as it is very durable. But, it is harder to stain because it is less porous than other types of wood. So, it’s harder for the wood to absorb any kind of stain.
Mahogany
If you want a reddish-brown color for your floors, then mahogany will be your best choice. This species of wood is known for its very classic look. It will bring sophistication and elegance to any room. Its grain pattern is also very smooth which makes it attractive.
Mahogany floors are also very durable. Some species are even more durable than maple. It can stand against some scratches and dents. Some types of mahogany species are resistant to fungi, pests, and water damage.
A disadvantage is that it changes color over time. So, if you want to know the exact color that you’d be getting for your floor, we don’t recommend mahogany. If the wooden floors are exposed to a lot of sunlight, then they will darken faster over time.
Oak
One of the other popular wood species is oak. It offers a variety of colors but the main ones are red oak and white oak.
Red oak is a very common flooring option. You can find this type of flooring in almost any home in the United States. It has warm tones varying from pink, red, and brown. Its grain pattern features some swirls that give it a rustic feel.
White oak, on the other hand, is characterized by cooler tones. It is much more light-colored than red oak, but it’s still a favorite among some people. The grains are also smoother with some dark spots.
All species of oak are also very durable and resistant to wear. Some are more ideal for high-traffic areas than others. Before you install new floors, make sure to buy the right type of oak wood.
Cherry
Another great option for red-brownish tones is cherry. When it is first installed, it has a pink tone that gets darker over time if it is exposed to a lot of sunlight. We recommend cherry wood floors if you’re interested in darker tones than lighter ones.
Cherry, however, is much softer than other types of hardwood. So, it is not an ideal option for high-traffic areas. Instead, you can use cherry in bedrooms or other low-traffic areas in your home.
Walnut
Another wood species in the dark-tone spectrum is walnut. It is characterized by some beautiful brown tones that make any room feel cozier. Since the colors in each board are slightly the same, the floors look uniform which many homeowners enjoy.
Walnut is softer than other hardwoods but it can still work for some medium-traffic areas. But, it does a good job of hiding some dents and scratches due to its dark tones. So, you wouldn’t be able to tell if your floors have some minor scratches.
Ash
Ash flooring comes in a variety of colors. It ranges from a creamy white to a much more brown hue. Unlike other types of wood, the grain is very bold which is a benefit when trying to hide dents or scratches.
Ash is considered to be more durable than oak but is less expensive. As a result, many homeowners are considering this option for their houses. Before you start installing, make sure that you research each type of ash wood as there are about 65 species available.
As there are different types of hardwood species, everyone has different tastes and needs. So, the hardwood you choose for your home will depend on what it is you need.
Take into consideration the colors, type of grain, and durability of each type of hardwood. Also, it’s important that you consider how the floors will look with the rest of your home’s décor. Finally, think about your budget before making a purchase and start installing the floors.