Hardwood Species

Selecting a wood species can help you create many different looks or design sensibilities. Following is a quick description of some of the more popular varieties.

Common and Usually Available Species

American Cherry (usually available)

This species, in terms of flooring, may be the most misunderstood wood choice. A single board probably won't be indicative of what the floor will look like because there's quite a bit of color variation. American Cherry, which is considered a soft wood, starts with a light reddish cast and soft grain. But there is a good percentage of boards (8% to 12%) that are white. Some people love the variation and the overall look these boards give a floor and a room, but others ask that these white boards be culled from the batch. In such cases, it's necessary to order 15% more boards than the job requires. But note that there is no return possibility for this material. American Cherry also changes dramatically with time and light exposure. An area rug, if left in the same place for months, will cause an obvious spot. All American Cherry darkens with age. Also see Brazilian Cherry.

Ash (special order)

Ash has a similar grain to oak and compares well in terms of hardness. It has a bit more yellowish tone, which gives customers another option for matching similar-colored cabinets. Ash also provides just enough of a different look to give a room a unique feel.

Bamboo

Technically, this description doesn't belong here. Bamboo is a grass, yet it's even harder than Rock Maple. It's one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable flooring products. it also provides several different looks, with vertical and horizontal configurations that offer different appearances. Bamboo is available in its natural light color, or in darker tones achieved through a carbonizing (smoking) process.

Beech

Beech creates an elegant wood flooring with tight, straight grain lines. The even grain is also indicative of Beech's density, hardness and durability. Beech flooring has a reddish brown hue.

Birch

Birch has a straight, closed grain that is evenly textured, with occasional attractive wavy lines. Its colors range from a light sapwood to reddish brown heartwood. As flooring, Birch is attractive and durable with a hardness rating that is just shy of red oak.

Brazilian Cherry

Unlike American Cherry, Brazilian Cherry is a darker wood that is very hard and suitable for high traffic areas. There are noticeable variances in the wood, and it will darken with exposure to light. But it's a great choice if you like darker woods and want a species that is extremely tough. The grain is also a bit more interesting than many standard hardwoods.

Hickory

Hickory provides a combination of hardness, strength and durability that no other wood flooring can match. Harder than rock maple, hickory's beauty comes from its unexpected color variations, knots and streaks of mineral color.

Maple (usually available)

Maple's popularity has increased steadily in the last decade. Its uniform grain and light yellowish coloration make small gaps and minor imperfections more visible. And it's not easily stained on-site. For people who like light colors, though, there is a subtle beauty to maple that changes with the angle of light against it. Prefinished options offer a much wider range of color than ones that can be applied on-site. Maple's hardness and strength also increase the value of a home. Maple is 50% harder than Red Oak, which is why it's commonly used in basketball and racquetball courts.

Oak (usually available)

Most wood floors are still made of oak varieties. Red oak, with its slight reddish tone is used in nearly 70% of wood floors. White oak, which tends to have a slight greenish tone, is also a popular species. Oak has pronounced grain and hides the wear imperfections that come with everyday living. These woods hold nearly any kind of stain well, from the natural, light colors commonly used in the West to the dark, traditional stains commonly found in the East - and everything in between.

Pecan (special order)

Pecan is harder than red oak and offers excellent protection against indentations and wear. This type of wood holds stain very well, and enhances the tight grain to create a beautiful floor.

Pine (special order)

A pine floor offers lots of character. It's generally full of dark knots and mineral streaks that offer high contrast to light colored wood. Pine is a softer wood and may dent more than other hardwoods. However, to most people who are charmed by the look of a pine floor, imperfections only add to the appeal.

Walnut (special order)

Walnut is a very dense, very dark and very beautiful wood. It's also quite expensive. While walnut is often used in flooring, it's seldom used for an entire floor. Mostly, you'll find walnut used to create interesting shapes, patterns and borders in contrast to lighter colored wood floor.

 

FLOORING GRADES

Oak and Ash have four basic grades.

"Clear" is free from most defects. Remember, wood is not perfect, so even clear boards will occasionally have slight imperfections.

"Select" contains more natural wood characteristics such as knots and color variation.

"Common" grades (No. 1 and No. 2) have more markings than either clear or select, yet they bring natural character to a floor. No. 1 Common contains variegated light and dark colors, knots, flags and wormholes. No. 2 Common is considered the most rustic and shows all characteristics of the wood.

Maple, beech, birch and pecan have three grades.

"First" grade has the best appearance, natural color variations and limited character marks.

"Second" grade is variegated in appearance with varying wood characteristics, depending on the species.

"Third" grade is rustic in appearance allowing all wood characteristics of the species.

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11155 US Hwy 70 West Suite F Clayton, NC 27520

Phone: 919-359-0420 Fax: 919-359-0470