For many, nothing quite compares to the natural beauty and toughness of hardwood flooring. Its utility and look have been trusted for centuries across many industries. However, the choices can be overwhelming when choosing the right species for your project.
In this blog, we aim to make the task of choosing the right hardwood flooring easier by exploring four popular species used in homes today and discussing the unique characteristics of their natural finishes.
Hardwood Characteristics
No matter what type of wood you choose, it is important to note that the characteristics of this material will vary slightly depending on the batch and milling process. One tool used to measure the suitability of a hardwood species for flooring is the Janka hardness test. This test determines the force required to embed a steel ball into the wood, represented in pound-force (lbf).
While there is no official minimum measurement for a species to be considered a hardwood, 1,000 lbf is often cited as the industry standard.
What to Consider When Comparing Hardwood Floor Options
A hallway that gets used a dozen times a day needs a different floor than a guest bedroom that sees traffic twice a week. Worth thinking through before you start comparing species: how the room gets used, whether there are pets, and what tone or finish works with the rest of the space. The Janka scale is a useful filter, but not a verdict. A higher number doesn’t automatically mean a better fit for your situation.
Oak Hardwood Flooring
Oak is the most widely installed hardwood in North American homes, and it comes in two distinct varieties with meaningfully different characteristics:
- Red Oak registers 1,290 lbf on the Janka Scale. The tone runs warm with a faint reddish cast, and the open grain takes stain consistently, which comes in handy when you’re trying to tie in existing woodwork. It holds up well in living rooms and dining spaces without being overkill.
- White Oak sits at 1,360 lbf and reads grey-beige rather than the warm tones of red oak. Its tighter grain structure gives it natural moisture resistance, the same property that made white oak the wood of choice for wine and spirits barrels for centuries. In rooms where water hits the floor regularly, that resistance is worth having.
Maple
A very durable option, maple measures in at 1,450 lbf on the Janka Scale, the highest on this list. As the go-to option for basketball courts and gymnasium floors, maple has a record of standing up to tough tests. Its subtle grain and light colour make it a great choice for those looking to add a clean, natural look, while its proven toughness can give homeowners peace of mind when choosing maple for high-traffic areas.
Black Walnut
Black walnut is a softer hardwood, measuring 1,010 lbf on the Janka Scale. It is darker in colour and known for its rich, elegant look. In music, black walnut is chosen for constructing high-end instruments like guitars and violins, appreciated for its superior sound resonance and aesthetic appeal. This same rich texture and visual elegance make black walnut a sophisticated choice for flooring, offering a warm, inviting atmosphere with its beautiful swirled grain patterns. Despite being a premium option, the distinctive look and feel of black walnut flooring can elevate the character of any living space.
Hickory Hardwood Flooring
Hickory is among the hardest domestic hardwoods available, ranging from 1,820 to 1,900 lbf depending on the cut. Run your eye along a hickory floor, and you’ll see planks going from pale blond to deep reddish-brown side by side. In a more formal space that reads as busy; in a cabin, farmhouse kitchen, or relaxed interior, it often fits well. As for wear, hickory is built for it. The reason it shows up in workshops and commercial installs is the same reason it works in a house with dogs and kids.
Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Species is only part of the decision. Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like: one piece of wood, top to bottom, which means it can be sanded back and refinished as many times as needed over its life.
Engineered hardwood layers real wood over plywood, and that construction keeps it from moving as much when the air gets damp or dry. This matters in basements, over radiant heat, or anywhere the humidity swings between seasons.
Which Hardwood Floor Option Is Best for Your Home?
Picking a species comes down to what the floor needs to handle.
- If the floor is going to take a beating from pets, kids, and furniture being dragged around, hickory or maple are worth looking at.
- Oak works in most other situations and rarely disappoints.
- Black walnut is better suited to rooms that see less wear, where the look is the whole point.
- Anywhere moisture is a regular factor, white oak handles it better than the rest of the group.
Trust Rome Flooring to Find the Perfect Hardwood
Here at Rome Flooring, we boast over 50 years of experience in the flooring industry and pride ourselves on our unrivalled passion for our craft. If you’re looking to add a unique hardwood to your home, we’re happy to lend a hand when it comes to picking the right material and completing the installation. Explore our hardwood flooring options to get started.