Different Types of Wood Flooring

Different Type of Wood Flooring

When new flooring is needed, homeowners often make a rushed decision with a general selection and move right onto installation. But the truth of the matter is that the general selection is only part of the selection process. For instance, a homeowner can decide on hardwood flooring, but what type of hardwood specifically? There are so many different types of hardwood to choose from, and each with a different appeal and qualities.

Let’s go over some of the different types of wood offered by Nadine Floor Company…

Bamboo

Bamboo is a unique material because it’s made from grass and can therefore be ready for production in only a few years. This is much different from wood, which takes around 20 years to mature and become available for flooring purposes. Bamboo’s natural maturing time makes it a very eco-friendly material.

When it comes to appearance, bamboo shares effortless beauty with many other types of wood flooring. It can be found in many different shades and its solid form provides a feeling of comfort and wholesomeness.

The thing about selecting bamboo is that you should try to select the right batch. The production of bamboo flooring can be tricky in itself and, in the end, random. You should be in good shape as long as you buy your bamboo flooring from a reliable manufacturer. A good batch will have durability that rivals almost all other flooring types.

Lastly, bamboo is a bit more water-resistant than its hardwood counterparts. While you should still be careful with water and other liquids around your bamboo floor, it’s less vulnerable to spills and moderate moisture absorption.

Birch

Appearance and versatility make birch wood unique compared to some other wood types. You’ll find birch in lighter shades. For instance, yellow birch is almost white, while sweet birch and red birch are the wood’s darker forms, which are still on the lighter side. Its straight grain gives off a sophisticated, sleek look. You’ll find a birch floor to be very modern and inviting.

Birch ranks between oak and maple in terms of hardness. Therefore, it should be able to withstand heavy impacts, and handle friction and overall foot traffic well. The flooring type might not be the most comfortable for a bedroom, but it’s perfect for rooms like living rooms and dining rooms.

Cherry

In contrast to birch, cherry hardwood is found in darker shades. You’ll undoubtedly fall in love with cherry hardwood and its luxurious appeal. Out of all the different wood types, cherry makes the boldest statement. It is rich and timeless. Cherry wood will single-handedly give any room in your home a bold look.

Back to the hardness aspect, cherry ranks well above more common hardwood types like maple and oak on the Janka Scale. Its hardness prevents the general wear and tear caused by everyday use, as well as damage from significant impacts like dropping furniture. Moisture vulnerability is a concern with cherry, just as it is with all other types of hardwood. However, with proper maintenance, cherry wood should prove to be a beautiful floor for over 50 years.

Oak

One of the most interesting qualities of oak flooring is that it gets better with age. That’s right, oak actually becomes richer and stronger as the years pass. As expected, this quality increases its expected lifetime.

What separates oak from other different wood types is its attractive grain. Oak grains are completely random, and this randomness gives each plank its own unique character. Among the most common oak types are white oak and red oak. White oak is great for areas of a home that have lots of natural light. The unique grain will stand out and the entire room will give off a nice, airy vibe.

Red oak is usually on the lighter side as well, but shades of red give oak an intentionally rustic look. Again, this oak type provides great character to a room, standing out and making a bold statement.

There you have it! There is more to flooring selection than just choosing between hardwood, carpet, tile and natural stone flooring. Ultimately, there are decisions within decisions. If you’ve decided on hardwood for your home, consider the options above and which of their characteristics would best suit your home.

Along with what we’ve mentioned, Nadine Floor Company also carries maple, hickory and walnut wood flooring. We have you covered for your flooring and overall home remodeling needs! Please visit our website—nadinefloors.com—and our blog to learn more about your home remodeling options.