If you’re in the market for solid wood flooring, you’re in for a treat. The luxurious craftsmanship using some of the finest natural materials curates a visual delight like no other.
But what you’ll soon realise is there are seemingly hundreds (it can feel like after an hour of comparing) of options to choose from. Oak, chestnut, Hevea, the list goes on.
Depending on how much you want to spend, you might find your options are dramatically reduced.
Still, to make life easier for you, we’ve curated a list of some of the common types of wood flooring and some information about them.
Oak
Oak wooden flooring is a popular choice for residential and commercial spaces due to its durability, natural beauty, and versatility.
Oak is a hardwood with a distinct grain pattern and comes in two varieties, white and red (just when you thought it would be simple).
Red oak wood flooring has a reddish-brown tone with a prominent grain pattern that adds character to any space.
It is more porous than white oak, making it more susceptible to water damage, but it is still a popular choice due to its warm, classic look.
White oak wood flooring has a lighter, yellowish-brown colour and a more subtle grain pattern than red oak.
It is sturdy and more durable than red oak, making it better suited for busy homes.
Maple Wood
Maple wood flooring is a popular choice for homeowners due to its durability, strength, and attractive appearance.
Maple wood has a pale, creamy colour with a fine-looking, uniform grain pattern that gives it a sleek and elegant look.
Unlike some wood floor options, maple is one of the choices that are resistant to moisture and can withstand changes in temperature and humidity, making it suitable for use in a variety of climates.
Maple wood flooring is available in different cuts, including plain-sawn, rift-sawn, and quarter sawed.
Each one produces a different grain pattern, with plain sawn producing the most varied and pronounced grain and quarter sawn producing a straighter, more uniform grain.
You’ll find multiple varieties of maple wood finishes, including natural, stained, or painted.
A natural finish will showcase the wood’s natural colour and grain, while a stain can be used to alter the colour or enhance the grain.
You’ll notice that a painted look creates a more uniform look or add a pop of colour.
Walnut
Walnut wood flooring is a luxurious and timeless option known for its rich, dark brown colour and unique grain patterns.
It is a hardwood that is durable and resistant to wear and tear, as are all wood flooring types, but walnut is particularly durable.
Walnut wood flooring is available in two main species, American walnut and Brazilian walnut (also known as Ipe).
American walnut is a lighter shade of brown with a warmer tone and a more varied grain pattern, while Brazilian walnut is a darker, cooler shade with a more uniform grain.
Pine
Pine wood flooring is a popular choice for homeowners due to its affordability, versatility, and rustic charm.
Pine is a softwood that is lighter in colour than most hardwoods, ranging from a pale yellow to a warm amber.
One of the main advantages of pine wood flooring is its affordability. Pine is less expensive than most hardwoods, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking to install wood flooring in their home.
Pine wood flooring is available in different grades, including clear, knotty, and rustic. Clear pine has a more uniform colour and grain pattern, while knotty and rustic pine has more knots and variations in colour and grain.
These grades can be used to achieve different looks, from a clean and modern aesthetic to a more rustic and traditional feel.
What type of wood flooring seems most appealing to you? What you’ll notice is that, realistically, it’s the finish and aesthetic that will define your choice. They’re all sturdy and durable and crafted using impeccable craftsmanship.