Wood floors a beautiful and complement any style room. If you are building a house or remodeling, you are likely considering wood flooring as an option.
While vinyl and laminate are good options and resemble wood, nothing can beat the presence of true wood flooring. So, what is the best wood for floors? In this article, we discuss what the best wood floors are and why.
What Is The Best Wood For Floors?
There are many types of wood flooring and a few different factors to consider when deciding which wood will work best for your floors, such as whether you want engineered wood flooring or solid hardwood flooring.
Solid wood flooring consists of solid wood boards, while engineered wood flooring has plywood in the middle with hardwood on each side, almost like a sandwich. The benefit of engineered wood flooring is that it is much less prone to warping from moisture than solid wood flooring.
Then there is the Janka scale to consider. The Janka scale is a method of measuring the amount of force that wood can take before being damaged. On average, the species of wood used for wood flooring rank from 800 all the way upwards of 3000.
Finally, there is a difference between hardwood and softwood. While some wood species on the lower side of 800 are considered soft wood, it is hard enough to be able to use for flooring and may still be suitable for your needs.
Below, I listed the most popular types of hardwood flooring and their Janka rating so you can make the best decision about which flooring is best to suit your needs. Also, remember the higher the Janka rating, the more expensive the hardwood flooring.
1. White Oak
The most popular hardwood floors are made of oak because it stains extremely well, is fairly resistant to water damage, and is decently priced!
White oak flooring carries cool grey tones and has a Janka rating of 1360, which is right there in the middle. It isn’t the str, longest wood for your floors, but it is one of the best for the price.
2. Red Oak
Red oak isn’t as strong as white oak, coming in at only 1219 for its Janka rating. However, it is certainly not the least strong hardwood flooring available, and it has a beautiful red hue vs. the grey hue of white oak. Red oak also does not stain as easily, meaning your options are limited.
3. Maple
Maple is also commonly used for wood floors and is sometimes referred to as sugar maple. Maple hardwood is a great choice on a budget because it is very durable for its price.
This type of wood is often used in basketball courts and gymnasiums for this reason. It has a Janka rating of 1450 and has a beautiful tan hue, but you can stain it in almost any color you choose.
4. Walnut
Domestic walnut often called black walnut, is not quite as strong as some of the other domestic options. It has a Janka rating of 1010, but its beautiful warm-colored hue and grain make it stunning if you are looking for a deeper-colored wood. However, walnut is lower in supply right now, which makes them more expensive than usual.
5. Ash
Ash is another popular wood species generally used for hardwood flooring. This type of wood has a Janka rating of 1320, so it’s harder than oak and is sought after for its durability and beautiful grain.
Ash is also what herringbone wood floors are usually made out of, so if you love this style of wooden floors, ash is likely your go-to!
This species is usually used for engineered wood floors, so if you are looking for solid wood flooring, you may want to find another option.
6. Hickory
Next up on the list is Hickory, Hickory is the strongest domestic species of wood, coming in at 1820 on the Janka scale! It has a beautiful tan hue with gorgeous contrasting darker-colored grain.
Its patterns are always unique, and no one board ever looks the same, which some people are not a fan of.
Although it is more durable than its domestic counterparts, it is only slightly more expensive, making it an excellent choice for those that need highly durable wood floors without the price point of exotic wood.
7. Southern Yellow Pine
Southern yellow pine, as the name suggests, is a type of pine that grows primarily in the south. There are ten species that fall in the southern yellow pine category, and each of them provides a beautiful grain pattern.
As beautiful as it is, southern Yellow Pine has a lower Janka score of 840, leaving it more on the side of softwood.
Since they are lower on the scale, they are one of the cheapest wood floors you can purchase. However, don’t let the lower Janka score fool you, as pine is very durable if properly maintained.
8. Heart Pine
Heart pine is another species of pine commonly used for floors. Heart Pine has a much higher ranking than Southern Yellow Pine, coming in at 1225.
It has a beautiful medium tan color and usually comes unfinished, so you can stain whatever color you choose. Like southern yellow pine, heart pine is on the cheaper side as well.
9. Douglas Fir
When it comes to sustainability, douglas fir may be the top choice! Douglas fir is one of the most common domestic tree species. However, it has a low ranking of 660, which means it is more susceptible to scratches and damage.
Even though it has a low ranking, like southern yellow pine, it is easy to refinish! Douglass fir is also on the cheaper end and is one of the easiest floors to install, making it cheaper for labor as well.
10. Mahogany
Moving into the domestic species of hardwood flooring, we have the gorgeous mahogany. Mahogany is a deep cherry-colored wood that comes from South America.
Mahogany isn’t low on the Janka score, but it is on the lower end, coming in at 900. It is usually used for furniture but has recently been used to make hardwood floors as well!
Mahogony wouldn’t work well if you are looking for solid hardwood flooring, but it is one of the best-engineered hardwood flooring options available if you are looking for subtle, full-bodied wood flooring.
11. Patagonia Rosewood
The exotic Patagonia Rosewood is higher on the Janka scale than any other species we have mentioned. At 2800, this hardwood flooring is ultra-durable durable, and ultra-beautiful.
The shade ranges from light red to dark mahogany-colored brown. It is extremely versatile and will complement any room. This flooring is also compatible with both solid wood flooring and engineered flooring.
12. Bamboo
Bamboo flooring has been rising in popularity, and for a good reason. Although it is a type of grass and not technically a wood, it has many similar characteristics to wood, and you can either choose whether you want solid or engineered bamboo.
Bamboo has a Janka rating of 1650, meaning it’s even more durable than some wood floors! It is more earth-friendly and comes in a variety of styles and stains.
13. Brazilian Chestnut
Next up on the list is the beautiful Brazilian chestnut, and as its name suggests, it is native to Brazil! This exotic species is one of the highest-ranking woods you can find, which means it is great if you have a lot of traffic in your home or you have children or pets.
It carries a beautiful shade of brown, ranging from light to dark, and is neutral enough to match almost any wall paint. This type of hardwood flooring is also on the more expensive side, but it may be worth it if you need a really durable floor.
14. Brazilian Teak
Brazilian teak has a Janka rating of 3540, making it extremely strong and durable. Brazilian teak is stunning with its caramel undertones and dark brain grain patterns. It is also naturally water resistant, making it a top choice for solid wood flooring.
15. Brazilian Ebony
Coming in at 3692, Brazilian ebony is by far the most durable wood you can find for hardwood flooring. It is harder than any North American wood and is highly resistant to dents and scratches.
However, it is greatly lacking on the water resistance side, so if you choose to use this solid wood flooring, you will want to protect it with a water-resistant sealant.
Brazilian Ebony flooring has a pretty expensive price tag, but it’s beautiful, deep brown, almost black color makes a stunning statement.
Conclusion
There are many different wood species that are great for hardwood floors, but only you will know which one works best for you. If you have a lot of traffic in your home, you should search for flooring that ranks higher on a Janka scale.
However, if your floors are not walked on much, you can get away with more softwood for your room. We hope you found this article helpful! If you have any questions or concerns, let us know in the comments!