Walk all over me - a guide to hardwood flooring

When it comes to hardwood flooring we in the south are OBSESSED!! There are many different types, each with its own unique characteristics in terms of appearance, durability, and maintenance requirements. I want to have a lil’ side note about finding the holy grail of linoleum or carpet covered wood floors. If that happens in your remodel instead of thinking ‘What idiot would cover this?!’ Let’s reframe it to ‘Thank God trends changed and they preserved these floors just for us!!!’ One man’s trash is another man’s treasure and all that. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular types of hardwood floors:

OAK

- Red Oak: This is the most common type of hardwood flooring in North America. It has a reddish tone and a prominent grain pattern.

- White Oak: Slightly harder and more durable than red oak, white oak has a lighter appearance with a more subtle grain pattern.

MAPLE

- Hard Maple: Known for its durability and resistance to wear, hard maple has a pale, creamy color with occasional reddish-brown streaks.

- Soft Maple: Softer than hard maple, soft maple has a similar appearance but is less dense and more prone to denting.

– We seem to use this less and less because it’s soft and there are much harder options these days but it’s still out there! 

dwellingdecor.com

CHERRY

- American Cherry: Prized for its rich, reddish-brown color that darkens over time with exposure to light, American cherry has a smooth, fine grain pattern.

- Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba): Despite its name, Brazilian cherry is not related to American cherry. It has a deep reddish-brown color and a distinctive grain pattern.

WALNUT

- American Black Walnut: Known for its rich, dark brown color with lighter streaks and a straight grain pattern, American black walnut is a luxurious option. This is going to be on the luxury end of pricing! 

BIRCH

- Yellow Birch: Similar in appearance to hard maple, yellow birch has a pale, creamy color with occasional reddish-brown streaks. It is softer than maple but still quite durable.

HICKORY

- Hickory: One of the hardest and most durable domestic hardwoods, hickory has a wide color variation ranging from pale white to dark brown. It features strong grain patterns and knots. This isn’t my house but I have hickory floors and I love what we call the ‘floor madness’ with the color variation.

MAHOGANY

- Brazilian Mahogany (aka Santos Mahogany): Not to be confused with true mahogany, Brazilian mahogany has a deep reddish-brown color and a fine, interlocked grain pattern.

BAMBOO

- Bamboo: Technically a grass rather than wood, bamboo flooring has become popular due to its sustainability and hardness. It is available in various shades from light to dark. It’s a thin plank and bound together.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT HARDWOOD FLOORING

• Durability: Consider the hardness and resistance to wear of the wood species.

• Appearance: Choose a wood species and color that complements your interior design and personal preference. If you can’t tell by my pictures - we like an intricate floor. Everyone has a regular old’e large plank floor around here. If you are ready to walk on the wild side let’s design something really spectacular! 

• Maintenance: Some woods require more maintenance than others, such as regular refinishing or special cleaning products.

Photos of Ben Suers work click HERE 

Each type of hardwood flooring has its own charm and benefits, making it important to weigh factors like durability, aesthetic appeal, and maintenance requirements when making your selection. Whether you prefer the classic warmth of oak or the exotic allure of Brazilian cherry, hardwood floors can add timeless beauty and value to your home. There is even GLOW IN THE DARK! This is where we come in. We look at your family, style of home, budget etc and help you decide! We want your floors to be done once in a generation!! 

XOXO-

Brit