There are several elements to consider when choosing your hardwood flooring. Most people think first about the color they want, then the size of the planks and then they may consider the type of wood. The species tree you choose can make your flooring look and wear differently. You’ll want to consider these five things before you choose your floor’s material.
Budget
Most people have a budget in mind for their new floors. Depending on yours, it may limit you to a few different types of wood. For example, Brazilian cherry is one of the most expensive types of wood, but it’s also one of the strongest. Its unique grain pattern can make your floors the focal point of the room. On the other end of the spectrum, oak is a common and affordable wood for your floors and offers many benefits.
Your Family
Your flooring company may talk to you about the Janka scale which speaks to the hardness of wood species. If you have kids who push toys or ride on them on the floor or pets with nails, you may want to consider a harder species like hickory over pine.
Current Home Décor
There is no rule about mixing or not mixing different wood species, however, consider the finishes of your existing furnishings before choosing a significantly different flooring. One example is if you have a lot of cherry elements, you should consider red oak over white oak. This is especially true if you plan on a light or neutral stain color.
Stain
Your flooring company can help you understand how different stains will look on different wood species. If you go to your big box store and look at stains, you may see the Minwax options, for example. One popular stain is called Golden Oak. Golden Oak will look different on a red oak than ash.
Lifestyle
The softer the hardwood, the more easily it will be scratched or dented. If you’re big into entertaining and have lots of people in and out frequently, a harder wood species is a good idea. High heels are one of the most damaging things to hardwood flooring.
As a professional flooring company, we can help you choose the right species and finish for your hardwood floors. We offer free consultations and estimates for your flooring needs. Call Authentic Hardwood Flooring, Inc. today to schedule your appointment – (727) 786-6330.
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