Hardwood Flooring Species

There are quite a number of things to consider when choosing which hardwood flooring species to install in your home. There are the factors of hardness, color, price, and which room to put a particular hardwood flooring species in. And that's just a sprinkling of things to consider.

Choosing Hardwood Flooring Species

Ultimately the choice is yours, but in order to have the best hardwood floor possible, you need to see if a particular hardwood flooring species is suitable for your intended application. A lot of thought goes into choosing a hardwood flooring species according to its hardness and durability, and for this you have the Janka Hardness Rating to thank for this. Knowing the Janka rating of a particular species of hardwood lets take a peek into its hardness and durability.

You may also want to know other facts about the different hardwood flooring species you are considering. If you plan to have stained floors, you may want to look into how well that particular hardwood flooring species takes stains. If you have pets or very young children, check how that species is able to withstand scratching.

Where to Install Hardwood Flooring

The location of hardwood floors will also affect the choice of species that you can put in. Certain hardwood species are better suited for heavier traffic, while some would be more applicable and more desirable in low-traffic areas such as bedrooms. Do note, however, that while hardwood floors are a versatile flooring option, solid hardwood flooring cannot be installed in below-grade locations such as basements. For these types of areas, you may need to look into engineered hardwood flooring.

Top Choices

These hardwood flooring species are the choice of homeowners everywhere and have proven their mettle especially when it comes to beauty, hardness, and durability.

Oak – a very popular choice among homeowners because of its durability and hardness, and its ability to fit into any room. Oak comes in two kinds: White, which is the harder option with a Janka rating of 1360; and red, which has a Janka rating of 1290. Oak's natural hardness may be a bit too difficult for beginners to work on, so it is best to be left to the pros or at least those with a bit more experience.

Cherry – you have a choice between American Cherry and Brazilian Cherry. The American variety ages to a beautiful rich color and is relatively easy to work with, possessing a hardness rating of 950. If a much harder species is your preference, look no further than Brazilian Cherry, with a whopping Janka hardness rating of 2345. It is definitely one of the hardest hardwood flooring species in the market today.

Black Walnut – this hardwood possesses a beautiful color and grain, coupled with a smooth finish and lasting durability (Janka rating of 1010), which makes it a very beautiful flooring option for your home.

Maple- This is a stalwart choice in solid hardwood, offering a traditional look as well as a notable resistance to wear.