Get to Know the Hardwood Flooring Species from A to W

Hardwood floors have been the backbone of many homes and will continue to be an all-time favorite among those who demand high quality. With so much natural beauty, hardwoods provide resistant surfaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting. It can complement any style decor you might want without offering too much color contrast, which would overwhelm some designs. Ever wondered which hardwood flooring is best for your home? There are many types of exotic and beautiful tree species out there! But how do you decide on just one when there are so many that could work? The answer lies in deciding what type will best suit the structure of your property. In this article, we will talk about different flooring types.

Alder

Alder is soft enough so that it is easily workable, although lightweight due to its low tensile strength properties. The color varies from pinkish brown until almost white. It has a low shock absorption compared to many hardwoods on our list.

Its structure of even fibers’ means it isn’t susceptible to shrinkage and it remains stable after drying. However, alder should not be exposed to the elements since it is not particularly resistant.

Alder is a great wood for furniture and cabinetry and can give a rustic touch to your place.

There are many types of hardwood trees in the world, but each species has its pros and cons. The cellular structure makes them all have different physical properties. Also, the colors, the grain patterns and the hardness vary from each species. Depending on your project and your need, you will have to choose the wood type.

Ash

This wood has a color range that spans from white to light brown. Its grain is straight and uniform, making it great for things like strong and durable floors and furniture.

It also absorbs stains well because of its large pores.

Ash was once the preferred wood for making rackets and other sporting goods. It is an excellent choice for those who need sturdy products because they can handle some rough treatment without getting damaged easily.

Black Walnut

A dark, rich wood that is prized for its beauty and longevity. Its color can range from a purplish black to brown with age.

Black Walnut is a hardwood with an aesthetic grain, it is often straight-grained and can sometimes have waves or curls. Its kiln dried color normally leads to a dull brown if left untreated, but air drying creates a purplish-brown hue which becomes more lustrous as time goes on.

Black Walnut works well when drilled, cut, and glued. It can stain with a slow dry time, and thus is good in general for any project like flooring cabinets, gun stocks, furniture, etc.

Cherry

In nature, prized for its beauty and woodworking qualities. Easily worked with, from high luster flooring to impressive cabinetry made of the easy-to-work basswood species! Minimal swelling or shrinking means that you can use this versatile material in any project without worrying too much about it. 

The cherry wood is a reddish brown that darkens in time and with exposure to sunlight. It is straight-grained, which means that it can be sanded down easily for an even finish. The medium strong, yet pliable hardwood nails easily hold without warping thanks to the woods’ dense nature.

Hard Maple

It is a good choice for floors, furniture, and veneer. It produces an excellent grain pattern that works well in both residential and commercial settings. Hard Maple is one of the best and strongest of the maple species.

The color of hard maple can vary, from cream to light reddish brown. But the grain pattern is usually straight and even. This makes it easy to sand down either for further designing or just as an accent on its own!

It is a good idea to pre-drill before nailing or screwing this hardwood because it ranks high on the hardness scale.

Red Oak

Red Oak is a popular wood for furniture because it can be hard and smooth. While some people prefer its natural color, others like it when their pieces are stained or painted in various tones of browns and red.

It is heavy and strong and hardwood with high shock resistance. It also has outstanding weather durability, making it perfect for long-term projects. For Red Oak, it is recommended to pre-drill if you plan to nail or screw.

White Oak

White Oak is one of the most common flooring choices, because it is long-lasting and strong. It also provides protection against moisture, which makes this material a great choice, worth of use in ship lumber or wooden barrels alike!

White Oak is strong and hard, with great deterioration resistance. It machines well, holds nails or screws. The grain can vary depending on sawing or slicing of angles, but most of them are straight-grained medium textured boards. Because of its hardness, you should consider to pre-drill.

Wrap up: It’s your choice!

As you can see, there are many types of wood species for flooring to choose from; however, hardwood remains a popular choice because it has warmth and glamor.

If you are looking to buy new flooring, the type of wood is an important factor. Engineered or manufactured floors can be made from many species and have a high durability, while still being affordable enough that people with children or pets don’t need to worry about them scratching up their baseboards!

Plus, when selling your home, you will have an easier time attracting buyers with this type of floor in place!