Types of Woods Used in Our Hardwood Flooring
There are many types of wood you can use for your hardwood floors. Each of these woods has unique characteristics, including color, grain pattern, hardness, durability, and sustainability. Therefore, when choosing suitable timber for your hardwood flooring, it’s essential to consider these factors. Here are the woods we care to help you choose the flooring that will meet your specific needs and preferences.
Hardwood Flooring Types at Elite
At Elite Hardwood Flooring, the woods we use are important to the quality of the hardwood flooring we install. Here are the types of hardwoods we use in our flooring:
White Oak
White oak is a solid and durable hardwood known for its light to medium brown color and distinct grain pattern. You’ll find white oak hardwood flooring is popular because it is attractive, durable, and versatile.
This oak is also known for its high resistance to water and moisture, making it a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms. This ideal hardwood is for busy households with high traffic, pets, or children. In addition, the natural hardness and durability of the white oak make it suitable for people who want an affordable, practical, and beautiful hardwood flooring option.
Red Oak
Red oak is a type of hardwood flooring made from the wood of the red oak tree. It is a robust and durable hardwood known for its pinkish-red color and bold grain pattern. This flooring is an excellent choice for creating a warm and inviting look in any space. In addition, it is a durable and resilient flooring option that can withstand heavy foot traffic and resist scratches and dents.
Additionally, white and red oak hardwood are sustainable choices, as they are renewable resources and are harvested without causing harm to the environment.
Maple
Maple is a complex, dense wood often used in sports flooring due to its shock-absorbing qualities. This is also a popular hardwood in homes and businesses because it is attractive, durable, and easy to maintain. Moreover, its popularity comes from its versatility.
Maple can come in various colors, from light, creamy white to darker reddish-brown tones, ranging from straight to curly. It is also available in different grades, with transparent grades being the most expensive, featuring minimal knots and blemishes, and lower grades having more knots and color variations. Maple hardwood is typically finished with a clear or natural stain to enhance its natural beauty and protect it from wear and tear.
Walnut
Walnut is a dark wood with a rich, warm tone and a straight, fine-grained pattern. It is a softer wood than oak or maple, which makes it more susceptible to scratches and dents. You can get walnut in various colors, from deep chocolate brown to lighter shades with reddish undertones.
The grain pattern of walnut hardwood is unique, with swirling patterns and irregular knots that add character and interest to the flooring. Walnut hardwood is typically finished with a clear or natural stain to enhance its natural beauty and protect it from wear and tear.
Ash
Ash is a hardwood species known for its durability, hardness, and light color, ranging from pale white to light brown. This wood has a straight, open-grain pattern with occasional knots, giving it a unique character. One of the benefits of ash is its hardness, which makes it resistant to wear and tear. However, ash can be prone to discoloration when exposed to sunlight.
Ash hardwood is an excellent choice for creating a contemporary and elegant look in any space. It is a durable and resilient flooring option that can withstand heavy foot traffic and resist scratches and dents.
Hickory
Hickory is a strong and durable hardwood with a distinctive grain pattern. Its unique grain patterns and color variations give it a rustic and timeless appearance that can complement a wide range of interior styles.
This hardwood is one of the densest and hardest woods. However, it’s highly resistant to scratches, dents, and regular wear and tear, making it a popular choice for high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, and living rooms. In addition, hickory is an excellent option for families with kids and pets.
Pine
Pine hardwood is a soft wood known for its light color and straight grain pattern. It is popular in homes and businesses because it is attractive and affordable and adds a rustic charm to any space.
This wood is prone to dents and scratches. In addition, it is more susceptible to moisture and humidity than some other hardwoods. While it is not as rugged or durable as some other hardwoods, such as oak or hickory, pine is still a solid and sturdy wood that can withstand moderate wear and tear.
Antique Heart of Pine
Antique Heart of Pine is a type of hardwood flooring made from the heartwood of old-growth pine trees. The pine tree’s ” heart ” refers to the tree’s center or core. Heartwood is the densest, most substantial part of the tree, and when harvested from old-growth trees, it can create an exceptionally durable and attractive hardwood flooring option.
This type of pine has a rich color and distinctive grain patterns, which result from the trees’ slow growth and years of exposure to the elements. Heartwood is often hundreds of years old and has already stood the test of time, so it is highly resistant to wear and tear. Each piece of wood has its own story and history, reflected in its color and grain patterns. This hardwood creates a one-of-a-kind look for your home.
Pick the Right Flooring For Your Home!
When choosing suitable wood for your hardwood floors, it’s best to consider factors such as durability, hardness, color, grain pattern, and home aesthetic. At Elite Hardwood Flooring, we can help you find the perfect style of flooring to complement your home. Please stop by our showroom or explore our online gallery for hardwood floor types.
With over 20 years of experience in this industry, contact us, and let’s chat about your flooring needs and wants.
