1. White Oak
If you’re looking for lighter woods with durability, this will be the direction you want to go. It can be a pale brownish color or nearly yellow. It also has a distinctive, dotted grain pattern. It is a valuable, rather expensive wood, but is usually less expensive than cherry and walnut. White oak makes up one of the most desirable and durable hardwood flooring. It’s one of the hardest wood options available, so it’s helpful for homeowners with indoor pets.
2. Red Oak
If you’re looking for durability, go with oak. It’s resistant to stains, dents, and scratches, meaning you don’t have to worry about covering the floor with rugs to protect it. It’s also known for its distinct grain pattern, which has waves of brown and beige peppered with small areas of black. The natural pattern of the grain in Red Oak tends to be more visible. With its more uniform grain, White Oak may look like a more solid and substantial floor, but don’t let all those swirls fool you. Red Oak is just as durable and sturdy.
3. Hickory
Domestically manufactured from hickory trees grown right here in the U.S., hickory is one of the hardest and most durable surfaces sold today. The fact that it is often used in the making of baseball bats and golf clubs is a testament to its incredible strength, density and resistance to wear and tear. Because it is less prone to scratches, dings and other types of damage, it is perfect to use in particularly high-traffic areas of the home such as kitchens and living rooms. The grain pattern featured in hickory floor boards boast a wide range of brown, red and tan shades. Marked by mineral streaks and knots, hickory floors feature an intricate, sophisticated and slightly antique appearance that translate to an unparalleled level of authenticity and quality.
4. Walnut
Known for its darker color and more intricate texture pattern, this species makes rooms look more upscale and sophisticated. Since it’s a slightly softer wood, you must protect it with rugs. It’s beautiful in low-traffic areas, such as bedrooms.
5. Maple
Maple floors come from the wood of a maple tree and are hardwood, making it perfect for flooring. Maple floors have gorgeous natural patterns in them with a soft striation and graining.
Maple hardwood flooring is a dense, durable product that looks beautiful in a range of decorating styles in your home. With differing plank sizes and colors, it meets any taste preference from traditional to contemporary. Maple flooring’s light- to medium-brown hues give a clean, refined look to your floors. Maple hardwood flooring is also easy to maintain as it doesn’t require any sealing. A good sweeping and an occasional mopping will keep a maple floor looking beautiful for years to come.
Aesthetically, maple flooring is typically creamier and lighter than a hickory or maple. It has faint mineral streaks running through it and the grain lines can vary from straight to wavy. Maple hardwood flooring is stable, yet stunning and is the perfect addition to any home.