Hardwood Flooring – Selecting the Best Species for Your Home

Choosing a hardwood flooring species for your home is a crucial decision. Each species has unique characteristics that shape its appearance and performance.

As a result, the species you select can significantly impact the aesthetics and functionality of your space.

Your selection is further complicated because more than 100,000 species exist! Generally, they fall into two classes: hardwoods and softwoods. Hardwoods are broad-leaved trees with enclosed nuts or seeds, while softwoods are coniferous, needle-bearing trees.

Each Hardwood Species is Unique

The United States owns a wide range of hardwood species. The most common include red and white oak, maple, walnut, birch, cherry, ash, and hickory. What’s worth noting, however, is that each offers a distinct look and feel, adding a unique charm to your home.

However, selecting the best species for flooring material involves more than just its appearance. Factors such as durability, maintenance, and cost also play a significant role.

Let’s look at the impact of some of the more popular hardwood species to help you make an informed choice for your home.

Popular Hardwood Flooring Species

Numerous hardwood flooring species are available, each with unique charm and benefits. However, some species are more popular owing to their exceptional qualities and versatility.

Oak remains the most popular or, at least, most widely used hardwood species. Other popular U.S. hardwood species include maple, hickory, ash, walnut, cherry, and birch. Each has unique colorations and graining that create the foundation for room design. Moreover, each has varying hardness, impacting the durability of your flooring.

The Characteristics of Each Species for Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood species come in various colors, from light and medium browns to red hues and even color mixtures. Grain patterns can be narrow or wide, with some species offering circular grain patterns.

Here’s a look at some of the characteristics of each popular U.S. species.

Oak Flooring

Oak is a classic choice for hardwood flooring owing to its strength and resilience. Red and white maple are solid options for high-traffic areas in your home.

Oak flooring comes in a variety of colors and finishes, from light natural tones to rich dark stains. Its distinctive open-grain pattern adds a touch of rustic charm to any space.

Maple Flooring

Homeowners turn to maple flooring for its light color and subtle grain patterns. It offers a clean, modern look that works well in contemporary homes.

Despite its soft appearance, maple is a rugged and durable wood species. It can withstand daily wear and tear, ensuring your floor stays beautiful for years.

Hickory Flooring

Hickory flooring has a dramatic grain pattern and distinctive color variations. It brings your home a unique, rustic vibe, perfect for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Hickory is also one of the hardest domestic hardwood species, making it highly resistant to dents and scratches. So, if you have an active household with pets or children, hickory is an excellent choice.

Ash Flooring

Ash has a light, airy appearance with a distinctive grain pattern. It brightens any space while adding a contemporary touch.

Ash flooring offers strength and elasticity, making it another durable option for high-traffic areas. Consider Ash’s history as a favorite for baseball bats! Its unique grain pattern adds a sophisticated yet natural look to your home.

Birch Flooring

Birch flooring offers a warm, inviting look with a fine, smooth grain. Its color ranges from pale yellow to rich golden brown, providing a versatile palette for any interior style.

Birch is a durable hardwood that resists wear and tear, making it suitable for busy households. Its subtle grain pattern lends a soft, elegant touch to any room.

Cherry Flooring

People choose cherry flooring for its rich, reddish-brown color, which deepens with age. Its smooth grain and lustrous finish add a touch of elegance and warmth to any space.

Cherry is a moderately durable wood for low to medium-traffic areas. Its distinctive color and grain make it a popular choice for adding a luxurious feel to your home.

Walnut Flooring

Walnut flooring stands out with its deep, dark tones and straight, uniform grain. It is an excellent choice for creating a sophisticated and timeless look in your home.

Walnut is a relatively soft hardwood that provides a comfortable underfoot feel. Its rich color and smooth texture add a sense of luxury and refinement to any room.

Engineered vs. Solid Hardwood Flooring

When choosing hardwood flooring, you should familiarize yourself with the difference between solid and engineered options. Both use real hardwood, albeit in a different fashion.

Solid hardwood flooring derives from a single piece of wood and offers a classic and timeless appeal. One of its endearing characteristics is the ability to sand and refinish the flooring surface, which can add years to the life of your floors. Solid hardwood can also add value to your home, as numerous buyers prefer hardwoods.

Engineered wood flooring comprises a top layer of natural hardwood veneer attached to multiple layers of plywood. This construction makes engineered hardwood more stable and less susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity.

As a result, engineered hardwood flooring can be installed in moisture-sensitive areas like basements and kitchens. Its water resistance gives it an edge and makes it easy to maintain.

Environmental and Health Considerations for Hardwood Flooring

When choosing a hardwood species, you should also consider its environmental impact. Some species are more sustainable, with certifications like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) verifying responsible practices.

For example, oak and maple offer more sustainable options owing to their presence in the United States.

Certain hardwood species are more hypoallergenic than others, which can be crucial for households with allergy sufferers. Always research and ask about these aspects when selecting your hardwood flooring.

Cost and Long-Term Value

The cost of hardwood flooring can vary greatly depending on the species. Oak, for example, tends to be more cost-effective as it is a readily available species.

Hickory, on the other hand, costs more than some other domestic species. However, its durability ensures long-term value. With proper care, it can genuinely last a lifetime.

If cost is a factor, you might consider engineered hardwood flooring. Typically, it costs less than solid hardwood, especially compared to a like species. For example, you’ll likely pay less for an oak-engineered floor than a solid oak hardwood floor.

Final Thoughts on Selecting the Right Hardwood Species

Selecting the suitable hardwood species for your home involves considering various factors, including durability, aesthetics, maintenance, cost, and environmental impact.

Robbins® has more than 150 designer hardwood flooring products, including solid and engineered options. You can also choose from various looks such as traditional wood, wide plank, rustic, distressed, and hand-scraped.

Our store locator helps you find the Robbins’ dealer nearest you.