6 Popular Types of Hardwood Flooring

One of the most important decisions to make when choosing new hardwood flooring is selecting the right wood for your project. While there are many different types out there, here are some of the most popular hardwood flooring species that you can choose from.

Oak

Oak is the most common type of hardwood in the United States and it’s an excellent choice for flooring. It is a hardwood that is highly durable with a prominent grain that can help to hide scratches and dings. There are several different types to choose from, including red oak (Janka hardness rating: 1290) and white oak (Janka hardness rating: 1360).

Maple (Janka hardness rating: 1450)

Maple is a hardwood that is fairly common. It has a higher Janka rating than oak, so it is pretty resistant to dents and dings. Because of its fine grain, it has a much more uniform look than oak or hickory.

Brazilian Cherry (Janka hardness rating: 2350)

Brazilian cherry is one of the most common exotic hardwoods. It is an extremely hard wood that holds up well to dents and scratches. It is recognizable by the red color. Like other exotic woods, it is more expensive than the domestic woods, like oak and maple.

Hickory (Janka hardness rating: 1820)

Hickory has a very distinctive look to it, and it has a higher Janka rating than both maple and oak. It is usually available in wider planks than other hardwoods to show off its prominent grain.

Bamboo

While bamboo is technically not a wood, but rather a grass, it has become a very popular flooring choice because of its durability and how budget friendly it is. The main thing to consider when choosing bamboo flooring is to select a good quality one since poor quality bamboo will be very susceptible to scratches and dings.

Pine (Janka hardness rating: 690)

Pine is the most popular softwood that is used for flooring. It is one of the most budget-friendly options out there, but because it is a softwood, it is susceptible to dents and dings. It is not recommended in high traffic areas for this reason. It takes stain very well and can take a wide range of colors that can suit the look that you are going for, and it has a rustic look to it that is perfect for cabins or rustic decor.

While there are many great hardwood flooring options available to you, the main choice is going to come down to the look and color that you want. Each wood is going to take the stain differently and is better suited to certain types of stain and colors than others. Stop by Carpet Depot and let us help you choose the perfect hardwood floor for you, your home, and your budget.