Hardwood Flooring Options

Knowledge of the different types of hardwood flooring options is essential when deciding which is the best for you. Wood floors are popular for a lot of reasons. It is durable, long-lasting, appealing to the eye and can be sanded and refinished unlike most other types of flooring. There are pros and cons in selecting which type of wood flooring option is best for you. You will have to consider your budget, the most important elements to you as well as what will look the best in your space.

Main Types of Hardwood Flooring

There are many different types of wood floors. Some of the most popular ones are the Oak, Maple and, Hickory. We will be sharing with you the benefits as well as the characteristics of these types of hardwood flooring. It will be helpful for you to decide which is the best wood flooring option for your lifestyle and property.

Oak

Because it is highly resistant to wear and tear, the oak is known for being called the “king of hardwood flooring” as it only gets and looks better with time. The oak has a reputation of being one of the most beautiful hardwood flooring options.

Benefits and Characteristics: 

• The oak comes in a variety of colors. Stains are absorbed very well with the oak; this makes it easier to change the colour when refinishing your floors and allows the consumer to choose from several different color options. Other popular types of wood do not stain as easily and force you to live with the colour of the wood.
• This type of hardwood responds to moisture levels by shrinking or expanding. When it comes to flooring, oak hardwood floors is one of the more stable options. The maintenance requirements for oak are largely based on how the wood is finished. If sealed properly, it can withstand moisture better than other wood species. However, it is not recommended to let water sit on top of the wood for long. There is no real wood that is water-resistant, but if your oak flooring is engineered wood, then it will withstand exposure to moisture better than solid hardwood planks.

Maplewood

Maple flooring is harder than the oak flooring. The maple is a hard, light-colored floor with low graining.  It has a light, smooth look that can open any room and give a modern, contemporary, and northern European feel. On the Janka hardness scale, Maple is 1450 vs. red oak which is 1290. 

Also, the grain of the maple flooring is smoother than the oak. While traditionally a light blond color, the shade of maple flooring can differ depending on its age and the area where it was grown. The appearance of the maple is dependent on where the tree was cultivated.

Benefits and Characteristics: 

• Maple flooring comes in many grades and it is important to know what grade you are getting. The maple is known for being expensive and the clearer the maple is the higher the cost. Streaks and pin knots are flaws of the maple floor. These flaws usually lower the grade and cost of the maple wood flooring. 
• Maple flooring can be stained to be darker. This type of hardwood flooring is closed-pored which makes it more challenging to stain. Gray flooring is always a very sleek and chic look. And because of its natural beauty, however, most people prefer to use a clear finish that protects the maple flooring while letting its true color and grain be evident.

Hickory

Hickory is another type of hardwood flooring that is very durable. It has a Janka rating of 1820 and is ideal for places such as school gyms and basketball courts. Ranging from creamy-beige with a hint of red to warmer, brown tones with dark-brown, we see that hickory features mocha-tones.

Benefits and Characteristics: 

• Hickory wood is incredibly durable and resistant. The hickory floors have a lot of color variation, and some have knotting and differences in color even within a board. Hickory is one of the hardest and most durable surfaces sold today and because of the hickory’s hardness and its ability to hide scratches and dents, it is often an awesome choice for busy households and households with pets. 
• The appearance of the hickory is one that is a rustic texture. The grain pattern featured in hickory floorboards boasts a wide range of brown, red and tan shades. Therefore, homeowners prefer this form of wood for places like their kitchens to give it that country feel. The hickory overall has a nice, antique appearance. 
• There is little upkeep required with this kind of wood as the hickory is long-lasting. They can be dry mopped by lightly spraying the floor with an appropriate flooring cleaner.

Is Hardwood Flooring The Right Choice For You?

Hardwood floors offer a lot of benefits. It is a healthy choice that looks and feels good and is one of the most enduring choices of flooring you can make. Wood flooring is easy to install in a home and it provides a warm and natural look to the room. Since there are many options available for finishing, it can be installed to match any style and decor. In addition to its great flexibility, wood floors can add great value to the home. 

The various types of wood floors are easy to clean and care for in comparison to carpeted floors and can be refinished as needed, to keep the look current. Wood flooring can be installed almost anywhere inside a home where no excess moisture is present. Laminate flooring and engineered hardwood flooring can be installed anywhere in a home except the bathroom. Solid hardwood flooring is an option everywhere except in areas with high humidity. With so many advantages attached to the hardwood flooring, it is easy to see that this is the right choice for you.

Supreme Hardwood Floors have served the Austin, Texas area for many years and we continue to do so with our exquisite customer service and dedicated staff. 

Contact us to see the different hardwood flooring options available in our showroom.