There are plenty of reasons why someone might choose to put in a new hardwood floor. Maybe the one you had needs to be replaced, you’re looking to improve the value of your home, or you have some other reason. The fact remains that one of the most crucial decisions you’ll need to make is what type of wood to use.
American Walnut
American walnut is one of the softer woods used for hardwood floors. It has a Janka hardness rating of 1010, but the color and the fact that it’s a purely natural wood (as opposed to a lighter wood that is stained to mimic the appearance of walnut) helps it hide a certain degree of scratching and denting. The color can range from snow white to a deep brown, depending on what part of the tree is used. Its beautiful rich brown tone is tough to replicate with stain, so if you really love the look of walnut, your best bet is to go with actual walnut wood.
Hickory
While hardwood in general doesn’t tend to hold up well to water, hickory wood does a relatively good job when compared to other woods. It’s also pretty durable. It has a 1820 ranking on the Janka hardness scale, which lends to its ability to resist scratching. Hickory wood is perfect for people looking for something unique, thanks to the spirals, splotches, and waves that make a frequent appearance on the planks. The color ranges from a creamy to golden brown, which also means it’s great for anyone looking to lighten up a room.
Maple
Like hickory, maple is another fairly light colored wood. It can come in creamy white or a light brown. Unlike hickory, however, it can be affected by water fairly easily. You’ll definitely need to let it acclimate to your home before it gets installed. Maple ranks a 1450 on the Janka hardness scale. Its light color means that it will easily show dirt and debris. Use dry cleaning methods as much as possible to keep it in good condition for longer.
There are a ton of different options out there to choose from when it comes to picking a hardwood for a new floor. Walnut, hickory, and maple are just three of the options you have to choose from. The hope is that your new floor will last for several years, so take your time to look at the different options so you can find the one that will work best for you and your home.
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