7 Hardwood Flooring Options To Brighten Up Your Home

December 10, 2019

If you’ve ever walked into a home and immediately thought that it was a beautiful classic home, chances are the house had wooden flooring. This is not to say carpet floored homes aren’t gorgeous but one of the many advantages of using wooden flooring is that the look of natural wood works well with many decorating styles allowing versatility when you redecorate. It also provides a hardwearing, practical surface that will age gracefully, whether you choose to go with solid, engineered or laminated boards.

So if you’re looking to create a classic backdrop to any contemporary interior while keeping it functional, engineered wooden flooring should be your go-to choice. Read on to find out the 7 best wood flooring options to opt for in your home.

• Oak

One of the most popular looks in hardwood floors is oak. It’s timeless and highly resistant to wear. With medium to heavy grains and a rosy undertone, it comes in a variety of colors so an engineered oak wood flooring adds a classic look to any home. And because of its durability, it’s a great option for homeowners who aren’t big on area rugs. It’s also generally less expensive than say maple or hickory flooring and one of the most stable flooring options. Another advantage of opting for oak flooring is that if you’re looking to apply a stain to it, that can be done rather easily as compared to other flooring options.

• Walnut

If you’re looking for a strong wood flooring, especially if you’re dealing with kids and pets, you might want to opt for walnut hardwood floors. These floors generally have a dark exotic look, which is versatile and looks great in most homes. It is extremely hard and one of the strongest hardwoods in the market. Unlike less sturdy wood floorings, walnut floors are extremely durable and it is safe to mop them without worrying about warping and rotting. And since it’s a strong wood, it is quite resistant to chipping, insects and other damage. While walnut floors may be more expensive than some other wood choices, the durability of walnut will extend the life of your floors, ultimately adding value to your home. Walnut floors are also very visually appealing. They can match multiple shades of wood, ranging from dark to light and show off the natural variations in the wood grain. Additionally, if you need to adjust the color of your wood, walnut is receptive to staining, making it an extremely versatile choice.

• Hard Maple

One of the most popular hardwood flooring choices is maple. It has a very subtle grain pattern that works well in both large and small spaces and is also extremely durable, which makes it the perfect choice for high-traffic areas. Having said that, if you’re looking for a very specific stain, this might not be the type of wood for you since maple wood is less porous which makes it harder to absorb stains. A hallmark of maple wood is its warm consistent tone that takes stains beautifully. Even if you prefer paint, the fine grain of maple brings about a smooth appearance when you apply your favorite hue to the wood. Once again, since maple is one of the more stronger and durable woods, you can rest assured that your house will look gorgeous for years to come.

• Beech

Beechwood flooring is known to bring in a warm, inviting, light look that gives it a very distinct design. What makes this kind of wood unique is the uniform grains that remain closed and tight, creating a consistent look across the floor. Beechwood floors also have less texture compared to some other woods, which give them a smooth appearance. Since they rate high on the hardness scale, they are durable enough for moderate to heavy foot traffic but not too hard, so it’s still suitable as a flooring material. They are also resistant to shock and scratches, which can help them hold up well over time and keep your floors looking great without the need for frequent touch ups. Although this is a great option for residential and commercial spaces, ensure you avoid using this in moist areas, such as your bathroom, but most hardwood flooring isn’t recommended in those spaces anyway. If you’re looking for a natural colored wood without any staining required, opt for beech wood flooring.

• Birch

The perfect addition to make your home look regal is birchwood flooring. Featuring a straight grain with even texture, this kind of wood is known to take both stain and polish really well. It has a very light color; however, depending on the type of birch, the color can also turn reddish or yellowish. The advantages of using birch wood are that it is inexpensive and low in weight. It’s perfect for indoor uses such as flooring and furniture since it’s available in sufficient quantities and is easy on the pocket.

• Ash

Ash wood is a great option if you’re looking for a hardwood flooring option that is usually less expensive than other hardwoods. There are over 40 different types of ash trees to choose from so it’s important to do your research before you have them installed in your home. Ash wood is a popular choice for interior design needs thanks to its interesting appearance. With ash wood, the annual rings are clearly visible and therefore create an interesting surface structure. It is also used for kitchen surfaces. Its elasticity properties combined with its durability make ash wood a popular choice for sports equipment and tool handles as well. They are particularly suited for planks since they’re quite resistant to scratches. However, it remains flexible despite its strength. It is not easy to process ash wood most times since it’s very tough and difficult to split. Nevertheless, it is very elastic and hardly warps.

• Jatoba

Jatoba, often referred to as Brazilian Cherry has seen an increase in demand and popularity in recent years.  It used to be that these rare, exotic species were difficult to get a hold of and were seen as a luxury, reserved only for those who could afford them. Times have changed, however, and more and more providers can supply these beautiful flooring options at affordable prices, making them more easily accessible. Jatoba is an incredibly hard species of wood, almost twice as hard as oak, making it a perfect choice for flooring that will be strong enough to last a lifetime. While some types of wood are better saved for rooms with less foot traffic, jatoba is strong enough to withstand frequent traffic so it can be fitted in any room in your home. Jatoba is relatively dark in colour, ranging from salmon pink to a rich, reddish brown with the occasional dark brown streak. Over time, these colours will undergo some level of change becoming a deeper, more vibrant shade of red, further adding to the aesthetic appeal of the flooring. The look, strength and versatility of the material make it a sound investment for new or historic homes.
With so many beautiful and eclectic options to choose from, gauge your options well before making a choice. A good hardwood floor has the power to transform a space depending on the color, finish and species so ensure you go for the best option depending on your personal space and style.