Have you been planning to spruce up your floors with solid hardwood? Are you unsure which wood species will best complement your home? Deciding on your flooring material is both crucial and confusing, but what is renovation without its challenges?

Hardwood is a classic and durable floor covering that is well-loved for both its beauty and its functionality. However, since so many species of wood are available, choosing one can seem overwhelming. This article should throw a little light on a few of the wood that may be right for your home.

Get to Know the Best Type of Wood Flooring for Residential Spaces

The species of wood refers simply to the type of tree from which the wood has been derived. So, maple wood comes from maple trees, oak from oak trees, etcetera. Let’s examine some wood species that are ideal for residential spaces.

1. Oak

Oak is one of the most common hardwoods used for flooring in North America. Its beautiful grain pattern and ability to absorb stain works in its favor. Oak is available in many attractive colors.

Did you know that oak was used to build boats? It is decently resistant to water and quite a resilient wood type. White oak’s Janka rating is 1360 and red oak is rated 1290; these are the two most common oak species. Remember, the prices of wood vary according to their quality.

2. Ash

With a Janka rating of 1320, ash is a stylish option for contemporary spaces which is loved for its durability and light hues. It is both a sturdy and resilient wood that absorbs stain well, so you can find a lot of color choices. Since it rates so high on the Janka scale, ash flooring can be installed in spaces that see moderate to high foot traffic.

Moreover, if you do not want to overspend on solid ash wood floors, you can opt for engineered planks of the same species. Ash makes the best-engineered wood flooring because its inherent durability makes for a stiff veneer. Learn about the differences between solid and engineered hardwood right here.

3. Maple

Rated 1450 on the Janka scale, maple is a strong hardwood species. Maple floors are a great choice for heavy-duty areas that experience heavy foot traffic. They are easy to maintain and exhibit excellent shock absorption. Please note that of all the maple variants, sugar maple is the hardest.

Installing hardwood yourself is a bit ambitious if you lack the experience. It is always advisable to hire professional installers to ensure flawless floors.

4. Hickory

Modestly priced yet one of the most resilient and common species of wood used for home flooring, hickory is characterized by its unique patterns and sporadic grain. This latter feature means that planks of hickory take stain differently, so colors vary between planks.

They are ideally installed in a rustic setting but look good anywhere. If you are okay with hickory’s distinct albeit polarizing grain, then it could be for you.

5. American Walnut

This exotic and rich wood scores 1010 on the Janka hardness scale. Woodworkers tend to love its naturally rich chocolate color and it’s acceptably durable for light to moderate traffic. Install this style of flooring in guest rooms that don’t see much traffic.

This North American variant is expensive but its coloring and texture are stunning.

No matter which species of wood you choose, make sure to do your research to select the flooring option that best resonates with you. Upgrading your floors is a significant investment that will add value to your home, so making the right choice is important. If you don’t know where to begin, get in touch with a complete renovation solution provider.

The tips are constructive, and I think they can be used. It's cool that someone is sharing this kind of experience! I'm sure a lot of people can learn something from it. I like its sound, but I think you still need to do some prep work; for example, a wood floor is much better than a carpet in a party setting. I think you might find it helpful to read about "How to Install Herringbone Wood Flooring?".