In our previous article, wood species for hardwood flooring how to pick, we went through the factors you need to consider when choosing wood species for your wood flooring. Today, we will examine some of the popular domestic wood flooring species, in order to give you a basic understanding about the various qualities and attributes, each of them can bring to your home.

Read the descriptions below, and find which one matches with your overall decoration scheme.

The attributes of popular domestic wood flooring species:

Oak hardwood flooring is the most common flooring option used in British homes. It combines beauty and durability and the fact that it can be easily stained, allows you to choose the color that will work best for you. The two most popular oak species are white oak and red oak.

White oak:

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White oak is ideal for areas that are subject to high traffic, such as hallways or living rooms. It is harder than a red oak according to Janka hardness scale and therefore is more durable and stable. It's color ranges from light creamy sapwood, to pale brown heartwood and it features a tight, straight grain pattern, with occasional burls and swirls.

Red oak:

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If you want to create a classic country design for your home, then red oak hardwood flooring is a wise choice. As the name indicates, red oak has a natural light brown color with reddish tones and compared to white oak, it's grain patterns are stronger and more unique. Even though it ranks lower in Janka hadness scale, scratches and dents are hardly noticeable due to it's reddish color and open and coarse grain. This makes red oak ideal for those who have pets and worrying that they might destroy their new hardwood flooring with their nails.

Walnut:

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Walnut has a very distinctive look, due to it's natural, chocolate, brown color. Like all domestic wood flooring species, walnut offers significant color variations from board to board. Its sapwood ranges from nearly white to medium brown and its heartwood from a rich, deep brown to purplish black. It has an open straight grain, however some boars are expected to have burly patterns. Generally, walnut is one of the most beautiful and attractive wood species. It can add warmth and beauty to any space and is highly recommended for those who want to achieve a formal design style for their home.

Keep in mind that walnut is not that hard (1010 according to Janka hardness rating), hence it is prone to scratches and dents.

Maple:

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Maple can bring elegance to any room due to its uniform texture. It has been used for flooring and furniture manufacturing for many centuries and it is one of the most popular domestic wood flooring species, after white and red oak. Its color varies from light creamy to reddish brown and its graining is usually tight straight. Occasionally, it can be found with a burly, or birds-eye grain pattern. "Birds-eye" is a very unique pattern of tiny circular marks which look like eyes. Maple is a very hard and durable wood species (ranks higher than white and red oak), used mainly for stair flooring. If you want to achieve the look of a contemporary home, then maple is the right choice.

Hickory:

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Hickory is ideal for any project, as it is one of the strongest and most durable wood species. What makes it extremely popular, is its unique grain patterns and color variations. Coloring varies from nearly white, to reddish brown. The burls, mineral streaks and knots that displays within a board, give hickory hardwood flooring a rustic appearance. Choose wider planks if you want to avoid a busy, vibrant look.

At Floorsave you will find a wide variety of wood species for hardwood floors, in both solid and engineered planks. Order your free sample today!