What Is the Best Wood for Floors? 22 Top Options In 2022 (with Pictures)

Wooden flooring can really elevate a space, so it’s no shock that it’s growing in reputation calendar year right after calendar year. But if you are thinking about wooden flooring for your house, 1 of the most essential conclusions that you will require to make is the type of wooden to use.

The previous issue that you want is to learn a various wood option that you like a lot more than the one you installed! That’s why we highlighted 22 of the greatest wooden floor alternatives that you can use in your house.

What Is the Best Wood for Floors? (22 Options)

1. Oak Wook

Janka Rating 1,290–1,360
Cost Range Low to High

Oak is by considerably the most widespread sort of wood used in wooden floors, and it is for a good explanation. It’s amazingly durable, and there are tons of options to pick from. If you’re on a tight spending budget. you can discover lower-top quality pieces, but if you’re searching for the ideal of the ideal, you can get that also.

Oak is also one of the best wood flooring alternatives to install, and just about each expert flooring contractor works with it. The only complaint with oak flooring is that increased-quality possibilities are far more pricey, and it’s not that distinctive.

It’s the most popular wood flooring option for a purpose, and that means you’ll see a ton of other flooring just like it.

Pros
  • Durable
  • Tons of options
  • Variable price range
  • Easy to install
Cons
  • Higher quality floors are more expensive

2. Hickory Wood

Janka Rating 1,820
Cost Range Medium to High

While hickory might not be the most widespread flooring selection out there, it is definitely 1 that you should take into account. There is not a minimal-cost flooring option with hickory, but it has tons of benefits if you can find the money for it.

It is tough and is a great option for substantial-site visitors areas simply because it’s resistant to the two scuffing and scratching. Even better, it has a grainy visual appeal that genuinely sets rooms aside, and it responds extremely effectively to staining.

However, it is costly, and these very same grains that attraction to some people are off-placing to others. It’s a wonderful selection, but it is all up to you regardless of whether you want it for your flooring.

Pros
  • Durable
  • Great for high-traffic areas
  • Grainy appearance
  • Easy to stain
Cons
  • Not everyone likes the grainy appearance
  • Expensive

3. Maple Wood

What Is the Best Wood for Floors? 22 Top Options In 2022 (with Pictures)
Image Credit: jactod, Pixabay
Janka Rating 1,450
Cost Range Medium to High

1 choice that you should contemplate if you want an extremely-sturdy wooden flooring is maple. It’s a hardwood choice that’s hurt resistant and extensively offered. But although it is a hardwood, it remarkably has shock-absorbing traits, which is a fantastic perk for hefty-traffic locations.

Nevertheless, just like hickory, there are no low-priced options, though it’s even now far more cost-effective than most unique woods. Ultimately, it is only available in light shades, generating it simpler to stain.

Pros
  • Durable
  • Damage resistant
  • Common option
  • Shock-absorbing wood
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Only available in lighter colors

4. Ash Wood

Janka Rating 1,320
Cost Range Low to Medium

If you are hunting for an affordable wooden option for your flooring, you must consider ash. With a Janka ranking of one,320, it’s a medium-hard wood that retains up very effectively whilst keeping resistant to most scratches and scuffs.

It’s a elegant choice that pairs well with modern day décor, and it stains properly, so you can match what ever fashion you are heading for in the place. Nevertheless, while ash utilised to be a extensively accessible wooden, it is becoming rarer, which is starting to drive up the value.

Considering that it is a diminishing wooden variety, ash is not the most environmentally-friendly decision. Nonetheless, even with the price starting to rise, it’s an reasonably priced option, and it’ll look great!

Pros
  • Durable design
  • Affordable
  • Works well with newer décor
  • Stains well
Cons
  • Becoming rarer and price is rising
  • Not an environmentally-friendly choice

5. American Cherry Wood

Janka Rating 950
Cost Range Low to Medium

American cherry is not the most common wooden flooring choice out there, but it does have a uniquely stunning visual appeal that makes it worth examining out. The purple hue is unique, but many men and women typically go with an American cherry stain as an alternative of the wood alone.

While American cherry may possibly be reasonably priced, a single of its key downsides is that it does not keep up effectively. Not only is it vulnerable to scuffs and scratches, but the shade also fades above time.

Nevertheless, if you want a normal American cherry wooden ground, just make sure that it is not in a large-visitors region so it’ll previous as prolonged as attainable.

Pros
  • Beautiful red hue
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Not the most durable option
  • Colors fade over time
  • Not great for high-traffic areas

6. Ebony Wood

Janka Rating 3,220
Cost Range High

If value isn’t a worry and you simply want a exclusive wood flooring that will very last a long time, contemplate ebony wooden. It’s the only wood option that’s by natural means fully black, and it only grows in Africa.

There’s a minimal source, which implies it is each pricey and not a sustainable product. Even so, there is an argument that it’s the best hardwood flooring choice out there.

It’ll last for a longer time than any other wooden ground, and it has a unique coloring that will help disguise any scratches or scuffs. If you can afford it, go for it.

Pros
  • Incredibly durable design
  • Unique coloring
  • Likely the best hardwood choice for flooring
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Limited supply
  • Not environmentally friendly

7. Bamboo

Janka Rating 3,000–4,000
Cost Range Low

Whilst bamboo may possibly not be the first option that comes to mind when you think of the greatest wooden floors, especially when you think about that it’s technically not wood, it’s one that you should contemplate. Owing to how rapidly it grows, it is sustainable, and its durability is unquestioned.

It’s almost unattainable to hurt simply because of how tough it is, and it’s normally water-resistant. The only grievance about bamboo flooring is that the Janka score may differ piece by piece, but with a starting up range of three,000, it is always difficult.

If you like the way that bamboo flooring seems, you need to consider it for your following task.

Pros
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Extremely affordable
  • Resistant to damage
  • Water-resistant design
Cons
  • Varying Janka rating
  • Doesn’t last the longest

8. Cork

Janka Rating 200
Cost Range Low

Cork is one of the least expensive-priced flooring alternatives out there, but that does not suggest it is not a excellent choice. It does have a minimal Janka ranking and a spongy come to feel, but it manages to resist hurt and is fairly tough.

Cork also has a couple of unique perks that you cannot locate in other flooring. It is insulating, which will help reduced your vitality bills, it is influence resistant, and it is environmentally pleasant! Incorporate in the reality that it is an very reduced-priced option, and it’s not difficult to see why it’s increasing in recognition.

Nevertheless, it has a exclusive visual appeal that several men and women do not like, and it simply cannot handle large humidity alterations. Also, it fades speedily in sunlight, so if you have numerous spacious home windows in the space, cork might not be the ideal selection.

Pros
  • Insulating design
  • Easy to install
  • Impact-resistant
  • Durable
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Low-cost option
Cons
  • Many people don’t like the appearance
  • Can’t handle humidity changes
  • Fades in sunlight

9. Wenge Wood

Janka Rating 1,630
Cost Range High

Wenge is an exotic wood selection, so it’s not most likely one thing that you’ll locate for your flooring unless of course you go seeking for it. Just be forewarned: As soon as you do locate it, you will want to commit a mint to get it. It is due to the fact of this really large cost tag that most individuals choose to use it as an accent wooden.

Not only is it expensive to purchase and difficult to find, but it’s also challenging to install. As a result, you ought to anticipate to devote more if contractors are installing it for you. Nevertheless, it has a beautiful dim coloring and lasts a extended time, making it a fantastic flooring choice.

Pros
  • Durable wood
  • Beautiful dark coloring
  • Works well as an accent wood
Cons
  • Hard to obtain
  • Challenging to install
  • Expensive

10. Bubinga Wood

Janka Rating 2,410
Cost Range High

An unique wooden choice that seems to be fantastic as a flooring option is Bubinga. It is costly and tough to set up, but if you can find the money for it, it is worth each and every penny. Its long-lasting sturdiness will help offset the larger price tag, but the most noteworthy perk for house owners is that it is simple to treatment for.

In addition, the darkish coloring is a main offering stage, and it is why so a lot of people choose to go with this abundant and colourful wooden.

Pros
  • Durable
  • Beautiful dark coloring
  • Easy to care for
Cons
  • Challenging to install
  • Expensive

11. Brazilian Chestnut

Janka Rating 3,415
Cost Range Medium to High

One particular of the hardest wood alternatives out there is Brazilian chestnut, so it’s no shock that it makes a tremendous tough alternative for your flooring. It’s also simple to put in and has a special grainy appearance that can make it a common choice.

Nonetheless, it is not simple to get and it is expensive. As a result, Brazilian chestnut isn’t the most well-liked decision out there, but it’s not some thing that you’ll regret using for your flooring.

Pros
  • Incredibly durable
  • Easy to install
  • Beautifully rich hues
  • Unique grainy appearance
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Not the easiest to get

12. Walnut

Janka Rating 1,010
Cost Range Medium to High

You probably really do not think of walnut when it comes to flooring, but if you are looking for an classy flooring that feels magnificent, it is one thing that you must think about. It has a unique dark coloring that will help set it aside from other options, and it has decent longevity.

It doesn’t maintain up as properly as choices like Brazilian chestnut, but it feels luxurious. Even now, while it’s not as expensive as most imported woods, for a domestic wooden, it is an pricey alternative.

Pros
  • Decent durability
  • Dark coloring
  • Luxurious feel and design
Cons
  • Expensive for a domestic wood

13. Teak

Janka Rating 2,330
Cost Range High

If you want a difficult wood ground that’s likely to last a lengthy time, consider teak. Not only is it scratch and scuff resistant, but it is also insect resistant and water repellent. Furthermore, teak has a gorgeous grain design and style that tends to make it a well-liked decision.

But whilst there’s lots to adore about teak, it’s not ideal. First, it’s one of the most costly wooden flooring possibilities out there. Next, it’s not sustainable. Last but not least, compared to other wood floorings, teak requires a ton of servicing.

Nonetheless, thinking about the lovely search that it’ll give your area, if you can manage teak and can treatment for it, it may well be just what you want.

Pros
  • Incredibly tough floor
  • Insect resistant
  • Water-repellent option
  • Beautiful grain design
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Requires extra maintenance
  • Not environmentally friendly

14. Pine Wood

Janka Rating 870–1,225
Cost Range Low

There are tremendous expensive import choices, and then there are reasonably priced domestic alternatives, like pine. Pine is also effortless to install and is a fantastic decision for DIYers.

In addition, the light-weight coloring of pine helps make it an easy flooring to stain. Still, pine is not the most durable selection out there, and it requires a little bit more maintenance in comparison to the leading choices.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Easy to install
  • Light coloring is easy to stain
Cons
  • Not the most durable option
  • Requires extra maintenance

15. Mahogany

Janka Rating 900
Cost Range High

Mahogany is a beautiful wood option for your flooring, but it is really a decision that operates far better as a stain on other woods than as an real wooden alternative. This has practically nothing to do with the look of mahogany and almost everything to do with its value and toughness.

It’s pricey, and contemplating that it doesn’t final prolonged, it doesn’t make considerably feeling to use it when you can just copy the look on a far more sturdy wood. Mahogany does not have much grain in a natural way, and it is affect resistant. Still, we recommend a mahogany stain rather.

Pros
  • Dark and rich colors
  • Not much grain
  • Impact resistant
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Not the most durable option

16. Douglas Fir

Janka Rating 660
Cost Range Low

Douglas fir is a super reasonably priced and environmentally welcoming option that you can use as a wood ground. Even much better, it is straightforward to set up, is light-weight, and is water-resistant. There are tons to really like about it, but that doesn’t suggest you should leap straight into Douglas fir floor.

Although it’s cost-effective, it’s not the longest-long lasting choice, and it is a softwood. That indicates it is prone to scratches and scuffs, and that can make it considerably more difficult to care for. If you’re employing Douglas fir for your flooring, ensure that it’s not in a higher-visitors area.

Pros
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Easy to install
  • Lightweight
  • Water resistant
Cons
  • Not the most durable option
  • Softwood

17. Australian Cypress

Janka Rating 1,375
Cost Range Medium to High

While Australian cypress may possibly not be the most widespread wood flooring alternative, when you seem at everything that it offers, maybe it need to be. Australian cypress is easy to set up and simple to stain, and it lasts very a although.

Additionally, it has a special grain layout that will help set it apart from other woods. Nonetheless, it is a bit pricey, and which is probably why it’s not going to be overtaking oak as the most common wooden alternative for flooring at any time before long.

Pros
  • Easy to install
  • Unique grain design
  • Easy to stain
  • Durable
Cons
  • Expensive

18. American Chestnut

Janka Rating 540
Cost Range High

Handful of wooden alternatives give you the exact same exceptional look as American chestnut. The dark wood has an excellent physical appearance that sets it aside from just about any other decision out there.

American chestnut is effortless to put in but it’s pricey. Nearly all American chestnut now will come from reclaimed wooden. Whilst that is wonderful for sustainability, it is an pricey method that drives up the price tag.

Add in the reality that it’s a softwood that scratches and scuffs simply, and it’s not challenging to see why it is not one of the most well-liked options for wood flooring.

Pros
  • Can typically get reclaimed wood
  • Dark and beautiful design
  • Easy to install
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Limited availability
  • Softer wood isn’t that forgiving

19. Birch Wood

Janka Rating 1,260
Cost Range Low

If you can keep track of down birch, it is an inexpensive wood alternative that functions as an outstanding blank slate for you to construct on. It’s difficult to uncover, but it’s really durable, and its light-weight color responds effectively to staining.

Even so, considering that birch needs stain to genuinely function for most rooms, it requires a bit more work and routine maintenance to hold up with yr right after year.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Light color is great for staining
  • Durable design
Cons
  • It can be challenging to find
  • Without stain, it’s not the most attractive option

20. Mesquite Wood

Janka Rating 1,220
Cost Range Medium

When you listen to about mesquite wood, there is a great possibility that flooring is not what arrives to thoughts. But if you dwell in a humid atmosphere and want a wood flooring that you do not need to have to be concerned about, you ought to think about mesquite.

Not only does it respond to humidity well, but it also has tons of knots that include to the persona of the wood. Mesquite has a reddish-brown hue that men and women really like, but for a domestic wooden, it’s undoubtedly a pricier alternative.

Furthermore, discovering mesquite flooring can be a bit of a problem, particularly given that it is hard to uncover lengthy parts. But it is a great selection if you can observe it down.

Pros
  • Handles humidity well
  • Tons of knots and personality
  • Reddish-brown hues
Cons
  • Expensive for a domestic wood
  • Hard to find for flooring

21. Beech Wood

Janka Rating 1,300
Cost Range Low

If you are searching for a blank slate about which to create the relaxation of the room’s décor, beech can be a fantastic wooden ground choice. It is tremendous cost-effective and stands up effectively to visitors. It’s a gentle wooden that is simple to stain, and even with its more difficult qualities, it has a shock-resistant style.

Nonetheless, beech requires a bit far more maintenance than most other wooden options, so it’s not a perfect selection. It also does not have a ton of character, but that’s not anything that everyone wants in their wood flooring.

Pros
  • Low-priced option
  • Great for high-traffic areas
  • Easy to stain
  • Shock-resistant design
Cons
  • Plain appearance
  • Requires a bit of maintenance

22. Tigerwood

Janka Rating 2,250
Cost Range Low to Medium

Tigerwood is very likely the most unusual wood flooring choice that you can find. It has both dim and mild aspects in every single piece, which gives your flooring a special appearance.

Tigerwood is generally easy to install, and you can uncover it for an cost-effective price. It’s a durable choice that will final a while also. The only true disadvantage is that there is not significantly that you can do to it. You either really like the striped design and style, or you decide a diverse wood selection.

Pros
  • Easy to install
  • Affordably priced
  • Durable option
  • Unique design
Cons
  • Doesn’t stain well

What Is a Janka Rating?

A Janka ranking is all about the hardness of a wooden: the increased the quantity, the harder the wooden. Tougher woods tend to resist scuffing and scratching, but they can be more difficult to operate with and less forgiving if you slide on them.

For most wood flooring, you want a Janka rating of at minimum one,000, but that is not a tough-and-quick rule. A single exception is cork. Whilst cork has a tremendous-low Janka rating, it can still face up to harm due to the other unique houses that it possesses.

Conclusion

With so several exceptional wood flooring possibilities out there, it can be a bit of a obstacle obtaining the perfect choice for your space. So, just take your time and go via this record a few occasions if you want to.

The previous point that you want to do is install flooring of a distinct wooden only to wish that you experienced absent with a diverse choice.


 

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