How to Choose the Best Hardwood Floors for your Home

• Posted on March 28, 2018

We all know just how important it can be to have the right type of flooring in our homes. The right flooring can enhance your home decor, as well as boost the resale value of your home. And some of us want only hardwood floors in our homes, and no matter how many alternatives there are, only the perfect hardwood will fit the bill. But there is more than one type of hardwood, and choosing one might not be the easiest task. So, what’s the difference and will it make any difference to your home which one you choose?

Homebuilders all across the country will be laying hardwood floors, on new build projects as well as old, for the foreseeable future, as there doesn’t seem to be anything slowing down this trend. In fact, it’s more likely to grow in popularity. And that’s why you will want to make sure you’ve got the best hardwood floors for your home.

Before you set out to buy your favorite hardwood, you’ll need to consider where in your home you plan for it to go. If you want your hardwood floors to be in busy areas of your home, you’ll need to think about choosing a more durable type of wood, as the high traffic could quickly age your floors with scratches and dents. Hallways, kitchens and living rooms will require a strong wood, whereas the less durable woods might be better suited to bedrooms and areas that aren’t used as frequently.

The way to tell how durable a wood is, is by using the Janka scale ratings, which should be available to you at your timber retailer. The higher the rating on the scale, the harder and more durable the wood will be.

Oak tends to be a popular choice and is a pretty tough wood, ideal for high traffic zones in your home. White oak is a little tougher than red oak, but the color variations allow you to better match the rest of your home decorations.

Walnut can be a good choice for bedrooms and dining rooms, especially with an area rug to brighten it up. The dark wood can give a luxury antique feel and can look particularly chic with classic or traditional home decor. It’s not quite as durable as oak and will be more susceptible to wear and tear from shoes and paws, but this can also give it a lived-in look.

One of the stronger woods for flooring is maple, which is even harder than oak and can be an ideal option for high traffic areas. It has a fantastic golden color, which can be easily coordinated with other home decorations.

If you’re looking for a wood with more of a country or rustic feel, then hickory might be a good choice for you. Its natural colors and grains will help to create a cozy atmosphere and will enhance your home decor. Another feature of hickory is that it’s super tough and perfect for hallways and kitchens.

The best wood to choose is the one that will work best with your lifestyle and your choice of home decor. One of the benefits of hardwood in general is that it’s a natural fiber that will never go out of style.