There are numerous domestic and exotic species from which to choose and they're all so beautiful it can be tough to make a decision! The five most commonly selected are oak, maple, cherry, walnut, and hickory. There is a lot more to consider, however. Read along with us!
While all hardwood is hard, some species are tougher than others. If you have kids, pets, or any other durability issues, you need to consider this when selecting your
hardwood floors. Heart Pine and Ash are two of the softer ones and are more prone to scratching and denting. Mahogany and Brazilian walnut are very hard. The Janka Hardness Rating System lists numbers in different woods, with hardness increasing as the numbers do. In general, exotics tend to be harder.
Do you like the drama of a lot of knots and swirls, or would you rather be quieter? Some, like oak, hickory, and knotty pines have more than others, while others, like cherry, are a little more subtle. Also know that domestic species tend to be less expensive and are milder in color while exotics like ipe, kempas, have bold, dramatic hues. The best thing is to talk in detail to us, a hardwood flooring retailer so we can help select the right one for you.