Different Types of Materials Used for Hardwood Flooring

Deciding the perfect flooring for your home is a huge task and requires a lot of money. If you want to install hardwood flooring, then you need to choose the best type of hardwood floor for your home improvement. This flooring is quite versatile as one can never go wrong with this decision. It is an expensive option but makes your home appear rich and classy.

How Would You Choose the Best Hardwood Flooring?

There are numerous wood types available in the market to be used for flooring. Some are available domestically and some are imported. The type of wood affects the overall look of the floor including the colour, texture and design. Few of the flooring materials are mentioned below:

1. Cherry – This type of wood is available in several varieties. From Brazilian Cherry to American Cherry, this type of wood is quite popular for its aesthetic appeal. American Cherry is one of the most popular flooring options because they are less expensive. These have a pink or red hue which deepens over time. It is notable for its tight and grainy texture and lustrous finish. These are prone to scratches and you need to spend additional maintenance cost on them. They are also delicately photosensitive which means that they are damaged quite easily if exposed to the sun directly. Thus, using this material for an exposed surface is not a viable option.

   
   

2. Walnut – Like Cherry, walnut is a soft hardwood. It is tough and hard. With extremely versatile look, this hardwood flooring material has an exotic appearance. It is dark brown in colour with a tint of purple. The dark grains present in this material uplifts the way a home looks in an instant. It is a light weight material and you can use it on upper floor without a problem. Unlike cherry, it is quite photosensitive resistant and thus can be used in rooms which are exposed to the sun for a long time. One drawback is that the surface can be easily scratched and hence should not be used in dining rooms where chairs and furniture are constantly shifted.

   
   

3. Oak – A traditional material used for flooring is oak. It is timeless and has the classic looks of hardwood flooring. It offers vintage warmth to your house and matches with any décor and furniture. Oak is available in two different colors such as red oak and white oak. Red oak has a reddish colour and white oak offers a pale brown colour.

   
   

4. Hickory – One of the most durable materials available in the market, hickory can withstand heavy foot traffic. It can last a lifetime with minimal maintenance. It is available in different colours from tan to reddish brown. Creamy white colour is also available, but it is not found easily in the market. It sports a rustic look and thus provides your home with a distressed look. Due to its hardness, cutting them becomes a daunting task. Apart from that, you cannot able to customize such hardwood easily and you need to spend huge installation cost on them.

   
   

Thus, hardwood flooring is a good option for your home and increases the resale value of your home. Today, you can find different types of hardwood floorings online and you can choose the texture according to your needs. But it is suggested to install such floorings by expert professionals because they have the advanced tools to install hardwood flooring. You should only choose the hardwood material after analysing the area which is being covered and its use. So, measure the areas which you want to cover and then ask for the quotes for hardwood flooring from reliable designers.