Varieties of Hardwood Flooring

Red and White Oak Oak for years has been the standard for hardwoods for both durability and stability. Red and white oaks are naturally light colors, with red oak having a faint hint of pink to the wood. White oak is slightly more durable and harder than red oak, however, red oak is used more often because it is easier to saw and nail. Both oaks are very beautiful and with proper care will bring a lifetime of enjoyment.

American Cherry This wood has been used for centuries in the making of cabinets, and furniture and has been prized for its tonal range of color, which darkens over time, becoming darker and richer is shade. American Cherry is also used for flooring as well as wall paneling. This wood is more stable than red and white oak, but is considerably softer than both, making it easier to saw and nail.

Sugar Maple and Black Maple These woods are also known as hard maple and are both harder and more stable than oak. As proof of its durability, hard maple is a favorite hardwood used in the floors of bowling alleys. In addition to its natural abrasion-resistant surface, hard maple is also prized for its uniform texture making it an excellent choice for hardwood flooring.

Brazilian Cherry or Jatoba This species is a very hard and stable exotic wood that has a rich reddish brown color that with time will darken to a beautiful burgundy.

When caring for hardwood floors, there are several things that you can do as well as several things you should never do to ensure that the beauty and luster of your hardwood floors last for many years. The following is a list of how to care for your hardwood floors.