25 Different Types of Wood Flooring (With Pictures)

What is the ideal wooden variety for flooring? That’s the massive query here. There are dozens of diverse possibilities on the marketplace, and to a “naked eye,” it can be nearly extremely hard to discover the appropriate 1. Is oak far better than chestnut? Can you rely on teak if you dwell in a humid region? These are just some of the items that’ll pop up in your head when navigating by means of the a variety of wood species.

Properly, your search ends listed here since we have all the answers! Right after testing dozens of distinct wooden species (domestically grown and exotic), we arrived up with the subsequent checklist. Just take your time with it, and we’re confident you are going to uncover your perfect pick. Soon after checking out the 25 best hardwoods, we’ll chat about numerous types of wooden flooring (like sound and engineered) and their professionals and downsides. Let us get to it!

The 25 Different Types of Wood Flooring

1. White Oak

This is a never ever-dying classic: oak seems to be and feels extremely natural, which tends to make it best for flooring. It goes wonderful with virtually any décor. If you want a gentle, organic colour for your property, go with pink oak. It’s obtained a wonderful pink/pink hue. As for white oak, it is a combine of pink and grey. Oak is 1 of the most well-known hardwood species in the US and has an above-typical hardness, density, and resistance to decay.

Additionally, it takes stain properly. Anti-rust safety is average, though—keep that in brain.

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2. Walnut

Yet another well-liked option for flooring in the States, walnut has a quite prosperous, “expensive” brown color that matches equally kitchens and bedrooms. However, we really don't suggest employing walnut planks in dwelling/eating rooms. This is a gentle hardwood with an common hardness ranking. Density isn’t really higher, either. In addition, you will have to pay a quite penny for it.

On the vibrant facet, walnut effortlessly handles environmental variables and is a blast to operate with. Besides, it is lightweight and lasts for a prolonged time.

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3. American Cherry

As the identify suggests, cherry has a really wealthy, saturated pink/pink hue. The grain is wavy, and cherry is regarded as a comfortable hardwood, with beneath-regular hardness and density scores. With that said, it will be a great option for a very first-time venture simply because it’s amazingly simple to form to your liking. Just like oak and walnut, the American cherry is pricey.

Resistance to sunlight (UV rays) is weak. So, it will be a negative notion to use it for a dwelling area that will get tons of gentle.

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4. Hickory

Up coming up, we’ve got one particular of the strongest (and most difficult) wooden species for flooring. When appropriately maintained, hickory lasts for a lot of many years and doesn’t tear. As for the shade, it is acquired a really noble, gentle-brown hue and appears gorgeous untreated. If you are a admirer of the rustic type, hickory will be correct up your alley.

Unfortunately, overall flexibility and water/decay resistance are modest at best. And even though it is not particularly expensive, the installation value tends to be high.

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5. Ash

Perfect for the stylish style, ash is a extensively appreciated hardwood. The mild white shade, alongside with the pretty wooden grain, gives it a normal, welcoming seem. Ash has a excellent hardness rating: it is difficult ample to stand up to “heavy traffic” and nevertheless delicate to stand on for lengthy hours. It stains well. A lot more importantly, ash is really low cost.

However, it will get filthy effortlessly. Furthermore, this hardwood is not at all resistant to decay (so, no bathrooms for this one particular).

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6. Maple

You cannot go wrong with maple, particularly if you’re searching for correct wooden flooring for the kitchen. It is acquired a extremely distinct grain sample, one particular that is identified in several American homes. The light, reflective surface is also a massive professional. Maple is quite tough and dense, too, which means over-common durability. Overall flexibility is moderate, just like resistance to all-natural elements.

Include powerful resistance to dress in/scratches, a reasonable cost, and straightforward maintenance and you are going to see why it is so well-liked.

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7. Birch

As significantly as the best wooden species for flooring go, birch is absolutely in the leading-ten. This is an reasonably priced, adaptable hardwood with previously mentioned-typical hardness and minimal density. Practical, fashionable, and straightforward to set up, it is a wonderful choose for the average residence. However, it swells easily and is typically quite weak against moisture and decay. Additionally, it’s really easy to scratch and dent a birch flooring. Again to the excellent news, it retains stain nicely.

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8. Pine

In spite of a popular perception, pine is a softwood species, not hardwood. Pinewood flooring is a really common choice not only in the US but also around the entire world because it’s 1 of the cheapest choices for flooring. When stained, pine will get a prosperous, noble contact. The trademark knots and pinholes, in flip, make it effortlessly recognizable. 1 of the most significant professionals of pine—it receives greater as it ages. Sadly, as a softwood species, it is vulnerable to scratches and dents.

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9. Douglas Fir

Just like pine, the Douglas fir is a softwood species with underneath-common hardness and density. That signifies it is not very tough and calls for specific care. In any other case, you will end up with plenty of scratches all over the floor. The special thing about this wooden is the universal texture—all planks appear the same. The brown/orange coloration and the grain give it a rustic appeal. You will not have to devote a fortune on this materials, by the way, as it is fairly cheap.

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10. Mahogany

In a lot of methods, mahogany is comparable to walnut. It is just as dim, heat, and lush, and, regardless of the common hardness, this hardwood is fairly dense, flexible, and practically immune to decay and rotting. You will have to pay out much more than the market average for mahogany, though. It’s an imported item, not domestic. But, as a long-term expense, it will be a wonderful option, thanks to the exquisite search with that wavy grain and extended longevity.

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11. Teak

The initial issue that’ll most likely capture your consideration right here is the hardness rating. Sure, teak is 1 of the most sturdy, extended-long lasting, and scratch-resistant wooden materials on the world. That tends to make it excellent for large-traffic rooms and regions. In addition, it is hugely resistant to moisture, appears wonderful each handled and untreated, and doesn’t just take years of knowledge to function with.

That’s specifically why these days, teak is a go-to hardwood for flooring. It’s not inexpensive, however, simply because it’s an imported solution.

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12. Beech

Did you know that beech is one of the longest-residing wood species on Earth? Effectively, that is accurate, and it is a tough, tough materials that is really simple to reduce and shape—an outstanding selection for hardwood flooring. Pale in coloration, it has a tranquil, relaxing character. Decay resistance is lower so, keep away from humid places. Other than that, beech match properly in nearly any place. US-grown beech is inexpensive, as well, and serves for a long time, with small maintenance.

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13. Ebony

If you’ve been hunting for the most difficult wood species out there, you just located it! Ebony has the greatest Janka score and can provide as a brick-sturdy basis for your hardwood flooring. Even so, it is not specifically versatile. Also, ebony is very expensive, since it’s imported from spots like Asia and Africa.

It is well worth it, though, specially if you are organizing on living in the same home for a lot of many years. The darkish color, stunning texture, and durability make it all really worth your while.

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14. Brazilian Tigerwood

In spite of the somewhat “boring” texture, the Brazilian Tigerwood is a safe bet for hardwood flooring. As you can notify from the extraordinary hardness and density, it needs small servicing and is not concerned of humidity or decay. Diy-pleasant, Tigerwood seems to be a little bit like a Bengal tiger (yes, which is the place the title will come from). This is a marginally pricey hardwood species, nonetheless, and may possibly not suit a restricted spending budget.

It will be a helpful investment decision in the lengthy run, of course.

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15. Acacia

Individuals in the market for a wonderful mixture of hardness and aesthetics will like what the Acacia hardwood has to supply. This sturdy, tough and decay-resistant wood material is versatile (many thanks to low density) and straightforward to install. Moreover, it is resistant to scratches, dents, hearth, and even fungus attacks. So, that indicates it won’t rot over time if you reside in a very hot and humid spot. Its biggest attraction is the lush, rural texture.

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16. Bamboo

It may well arrive as a surprise, but bamboo is fairly a decent option for hardwood flooring. It is difficult, strong (1600 lbf), and tough, with reasonable workability. Density is reduced the very same can be said about decay resistance. But, as prolonged as you set up it in a dry spot which is guarded from direct daylight, bamboo will work just wonderful. This is an eco-helpful, rapidly-expanding content (technically, it is a grass species) that seems to be even much better when refinished.

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17. Alder

Alder derives from the Birch family and serves as the golden middle amongst the less expensive species like beech and ash and the more costly possibilities like walnut and maple. Alder is a soft hardwood: it’s not extremely remarkable in phrases of the Janka score. Regrettably, that means reduced than common resistance to decay, UV rays, and scratches. The good information is—modest power equals enhanced workability. Sure, this is a extremely functional and flexible material.

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18. Poplar

AKA the yellow or the tulip poplar, this is a minimal-hardness and reduced-density hardwood with very high workability and a yellow/brown shade. The grain and the texture are not particularly bright or eye-grabbing, but that is precisely what some folks go for. Easy to stain or paint, poplar won’t be challenging to match with any décor in your house. Now, as a gentle hardwood, it doesn’t have an extended lifespan.

On the brilliant side, it is available at a very reasonable cost.

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19. Cypress

For a coniferous tree (a softwood), Cypress has a noticeably higher hardness rating that will set some hardwoods to disgrace. Plus, it is got lots of character and can gentle up even the most dull, generic room in your residence. Density is comparatively minimal, although workability is average. One of the greatest items about this wooden: it is pretty much “impenetrable” for sunlight (UV rays) and moisture.

Moderately priced and lengthy-lasting, it’s a certain select for wood flooring!

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20. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus may possibly not have the most incredible texture or shades, but as a hardwood “workhorse”, it will be a wonderful purchase. Thanks to the considerable hardness ranking and density, it is resistant not only to scratches and dents but to decay as effectively. Reducing and shaping it takes minimum effort the identical can be said about the set up. Nevertheless, indigenous to Australia, Eucalyptus is pricier than the typical domestically grown wooden species.

Other than that, it’s a bargain for any wood flooring undertaking.

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21. Cork

Cork is an strange selection for wood flooring. On one hand, it is incredibly comfortable on the other hand, it is strong in opposition to decay. If you like to wander around the residence with bare toes, this could be it for you. Cork is also known for its increased insulation properties and resistance to microbes. Sadly, warping can be an concern. Now, it’s not the most flexible wooden materials on the marketplace, but, general, cork is a worthy choose.

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22. American Chestnut

With some hardwood kinds, you really do not have to get way too close to know that it’s premium timber. Which is precisely the situation with the American chestnut. Now, for a hardwood species, it’s not especially challenging or dense. So, anticipate small troubles with humidity and warping. To compensate for that, chestnut’s workability is by way of the roof, and it resists decay like it is nothing at all.

This is not a quite well-liked choice for flooring, but you need to, most definitely, hold it in thoughts.

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23. Mesquite

If you dwell in a humid local weather and want to make sure suitable wood flooring for the location, mesquite may be worth a appear. Its class-foremost resistance to h2o/humidity, decay/rot, and UV rays can make it a best option for humid environments. Moderately sturdy and dense, and with a wavy grain, this hardwood has plenty of persona (and heaps of knots, as well).

Both purple or brown, mesquite is a bit on the costly aspect, specifically for a domestic species.

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24. Cedar

Do you even now think softwood planks are far better for wood flooring? Then pay further focus to cedar. For an evergreen species, it’s fairly tough and strong and retains pests at bay. And, just like mesquite, cedar is a great expenditure if moisture tends to be an problem in your region. As 1 of the most well-known woods in The us, it’s offered at a lower price tag. Set up is comparatively straightforward, and minimum routine maintenance can go a extended way.

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25. Merbau

Fans of exotic hardwood will just take a liking to Merbau. It grows in South-East Asia and is on par with the toughest wooden species (1925 lbf). AKA Kwila, it is getting to be far more popular in the US many thanks to the exotic, nevertheless trendy color sample and texture. On top of that, it’s not at all pricey (for an imported solution, of course), retains stain effectively, and very easily “beats” pests and rotting. So, indeed, it will be cash properly expended.

Hardwood and Softwood: What’s the Difference?

When it arrives to lumber, we have received two main varieties: hardwoods, and softwoods. The time period “softwoods” is utilized to explain evergreen/coniferous trees. We’re conversing about cedar, larch, spruce, pine, and, of training course, fir (the all-time Xmas favored). Does that indicate every single other wooden species belongs to hardwoods? Indeed, that is specifically right! Birch, oak, chestnut, and hickory—these are all hardwoods.

For flooring, hardwoods are generally a far better selection. They’re dense, resilient, and weather conditions-resistant. On the downside, hardwoods are pricey. Moreover, specified species aren’t at all adaptable and can be demanding to perform with. As for softwoods, they’re less expensive, lighter, lower-routine maintenance, and easier to reduce/condition to your liking. The lifespan isn’t as impressive, though,

Engineered vs. Solid Flooring: Choosing the Right Style

So, after examining all the alternatives on the desk, you ultimately made a decision on which wooden species to use. But what about the flooring kind? Should you go with reliable flooring, or engineered? Let us discover out!

Solid Flooring

With reliable flooring, we have acquired hardwood planks built from a solid, monolithic piece of wooden. They search “expensive” and include a nice, heat contact to your home. Reliable flooring is amazingly resilient and arrives in a range of finishes and lower designs. Nonetheless, it’s weak against humidity/dampness and not especially low cost.

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Engineered Flooring

In contrast, engineered flooring is produced up of numerous levels of wooden (normally, three of 4, which includes the sound veneer) pressed jointly. This sort of flooring is much more flexible and resistant to environmental aspects. It does not crack down easily when uncovered to severe cold or heat. In addition, it’s fairly cost-effective. You simply cannot refinish or sand it, although.

Also, engineered flooring has a shorter lifespan and is somewhat less durable. If you’re organizing on promoting your residence in the future, it won’t add much value to it.

Are Parquet and Laminate Flooring Styles Worth It?

Except if you know your way all around wood, you may possibly consider that laminate is sound wood. However, it’s a fiberboard (sure, like MDF), and the good texture on leading of it is actually a photographic picture. This kind of flooring is best for residing rooms and playrooms. It’s straightforward to install and inexpensive, but if you choose for a more all-natural texture, that will value further. Even now, laminate does not ever appear fairly like the exact same point. Additionally, it is weak from dampness.

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Following, we’ve received parquet flooring. It has a very distinctive look and is made up of hundreds of modest picket strips/blocks. It performs in dwelling rooms and bedrooms but is not suggested for bogs. Parquet flooring can be manufactured from engineered or reliable wood and requires tiny effort to thoroughly clean, but it requires time and expertise to install correctly.

Conclusion

Wooden flooring is no little task, and, except if you know your options and weigh all the execs and negatives, it can be very challenging to locate what’s right for you. Nowadays, we talked about the best wood species for wooden flooring. They’ve established to be difficult, tough, dense, and resistant to rotting and decay. On prime of that, most are easy to function with many thanks to natural adaptability.

Next, we realized the variation in between hardwood and softwood species, along with the advantages and down sides of sound and engineered flooring, laminate, and parquet. It is secure to say that there are no 100% appropriate or wrong picks listed here. It all will come down to what you are seeking for and your price range. Consider treatment, and we’ll see you next time!

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Highlighted Image Credit rating: Francesca Tosolini, Unsplash