When it comes to installing hardwood floors in your home choosing the right one can be a difficult decision. There are many styles to take into consideration. Here are a few different things to keep in mind when choosing your hardwood floors.

Species

Finding the right species of wood is really a matter of personal taste and project budget. There are domestic species like oak, maple, and cherry as well as exotic species like bamboo, Brazilian cherry, and cork. Each species has a distinct grain pattern. For example, oak has a very distinguished grain whereas maple is very subtle. Exotics are very popular because of their distinct grain patterns and color.

Color

Most domestic species of wood come in a variety of colors due to the staining that is added to them. Most exotic species, on the other hand, are not stained because their natural color is distinctive. Many exotic species are photosensitive and need exposure to sunlight to achieve their desired rich color, so you will want to keep this in mind if you plan on installing exotic hardwood into your home.

Width

Widths can easily change the look of a floor since the wider the plank, the fewer the seams that can be seen in the floor. Wider widths also showcase the natural beauty of the wood. Hickory and tigerwood are nice to showcase with a larger width plank.

Texture

There are many types of texture, including smooth, hand-scraped, distressed, and wire brushed. A smooth texture gives the wood a silky texture which highlights the grain. Hand scraped texture is often referred to as wave and ranges from subtle to extreme patterns depending on the method used. Wire brushed have more of a distressed look and can range from moderate to extreme in texture.

If you need help deciding what the perfect hardwood flooring for your home contact the trusted professionals at Park Avenue Flooring. We bring the showroom to your house so you can see how each floor mixes and matches with the rest of your home’s decor.