Whether you’re doing some real remodeling or just daydreaming about the perfect home, one thing is certain: the flooring will play a big role in setting the mood. Hardwood flooring is a standard choice that never goes out of style and adds value and beauty to any room.
But there are many different kinds of hardwood flooring, and each has its own features and benefits. This detailed guide will look at oak, walnut, maple, cherry, and hickory, which are just five of the many beautiful accent hardwood flooring options.
Understanding Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood floors are constructed from real wood. It has gained recognition for its longevity, toughness, and overall attractiveness. It is important to note that there are two primary categories of hardwood: solid and engineered.
Hardwood floors can either be solid (formed from a single piece of wood) or engineered (a layer of actual hardwood bonded over layers of plywood). Value is high for both types, and each has its own benefits and downsides.
Benefits of Accent Hardwood Flooring
Accent hardwood flooring is not only a practical component, it is also an important design aspect that can significantly improve the attractiveness of your home. It brings a sense of coziness, richness, and an alluring connection to the outdoors inside the home. In addition, hardwood flooring is not only long-lasting but can also be refinished on several occasions to maintain its beautiful appearance. It also boosts the value of your property, which makes it an excellent investment.
Oak Flooring
Oak flooring comes in two primary varieties: red oak and white oak. Red oak’s slight pinkish color and pronounced grain pattern give it a homey, welcoming look. In comparison, white oak has a more subtle grain and a spectrum of colors from light brown to dark gray. Both types are extremely hard, making them resistant to dings and scratches.
Oak is a popular choice since it is durable, inexpensive, and easy to come by. It is easy to stain, giving homeowners a wide range of color possibilities to choose from. Because of its porous nature, oak may not be ideal for use in wet environments like bathrooms or basements.
Walnut Flooring
American walnut flooring, in particular, is highly prized for its luxuriously deep brown hue. It has a straight grain most of the time, yet the occasional curled or wavy pattern adds character. When compared to other hardwoods, walnut is on the softer side, yet it is still a good option for most houses.
Walnut is one of the best flooring options for high-traffic areas since its dark tones conceal grime and blemishes. Its dark hue has the added benefit of making interiors feel warm and welcoming. It may be dented more easily than other varieties of hardwood because of its relative softness. Walnut also typically costs more than oak and other hardwoods.
Maple Flooring
Maple is a softwood with a mild grain pattern and a pale tint. The color palette includes shades from off-white to a rosy brown. Maple has a high hardness rating compared to other domestic woods, making it safe for use in households with children and pets.
Because of maple’s durability, your flooring won’t show any signs of wear and tear over time. The neutral tone of the fabric complements contemporary design. It can be difficult to get a substantial color change when staining maple since the wood doesn’t absorb the stain as evenly as other species, such as oak.
Cherry Flooring
Cherry, particularly American cherry, displays a beautiful palette of red, pink, and brown tones. Over time, exposure to light deepens its color, enhancing its natural beauty. Despite being softer than species like oak or maple, cherry still offers reasonable durability.
Cherry wood’s striking color variations make for a visually interesting and elegant floor. It’s also easy to work with, thanks to its smooth texture. However, cherry can scratch and dent more easily than harder woods, and its rich color might not be a fit for everyone’s taste or decor.
Hickory Flooring
Among the domestic flooring options, hickory is one of the hardest. The range of colors is very wide, from almost white to a deep, dark brown. Hickory floors are special because they look different from the walls around them.
Hickory is a great choice for places that get a lot of use because it is so tough. Its unique style can make any room look special. But the wood planks can be hard to install, which could cause prices to be higher. Also, its bright patterns might not be appealing for every room.
Consider use and foot traffic when determining a room’s wood flooring. Cherry or walnut excel in low-traffic regions, whereas maple, oak, and wood excel in high-traffic areas. Maple is great for modern spaces; oak and hickory are great for rustic or traditional spaces. Dark cherry and walnut are elegant. For all wooden options, cleaning and refinishing are crucial. Oak and walnut hide scratches and grime better. Any of these wood species, when properly installed can completely transform a home’s value and feel.
