Hardwood floors are an investment in your home, so you want to make sure you make the right decision about which type of hardwood you want before you ever consider having it installed. This might be why you want to know what the best wood is for hardwood floors. Well, the experts at https://hardwoodplanet.ca/ will tell you that the best wood for hardwood floors depends on your ultimate goal. For example, are you looking for the best value? The most durable? The best wood for a kitchen floor? For a bedroom? Your goals will dictate the type of wood you choose, but here are some general guidelines for selecting your wood floors.
Wood Floors at the Best Value
Certainly cost is a major consideration when installing hardwood floors. Laminate flooring, which isn’t real wood, is the cheapest way to get a hardwood look. But if you want a real hardwood floor, maple and hickory are the least expensive options, ranging between $6 per square foot to $13 per square foot.
Most Durable Hardwood Floors
The harder the wood you use for your floors, the more durable it will be. If you’re looking for scratch-resistant hardwood floors, choose a wood that scores high on the Janka wood hardness scale, which is a rating system that measures the hardness and durability of wood. For a beautiful floor that’s made of wood that has high Janka scores, choose ebony or Brazilian cherry.
Best Waterproof Floors
Wood flooring is inherently not waterproof, but laminate flooring is an option that offers at least some water resistance. But even laminate flooring is not 100% waterproof. If you’re looking for the most water-resistant real hardwood floor, go with ebony, which is less likely to warp from spills or humidity due to its high Janka rating.
Best Hardwood Floors by Room
Kitchen – The best wood to use for a hardwood kitchen floor is one that is highly water-resistant. Therefore, choose ebony or a laminate option.
Bathroom – Real wood should not be used at all for flooring in a bathroom. This is because of the humidity and water it regularly comes in contact with. If you absolutely must have a wood floor “look” in the bathroom, choose laminate flooring, but even that is not recommended.
Living Room – Wide planks and limited grain and color variation are important in open spaces like living rooms and some bedrooms. Maple, white oak, and ash are three excellent options for large spaces such as this.
Basement – Since most wood planks can’t adhere to concrete, there aren’t many hardwood flooring options for basements. In most cases, you’ll need to use laminate flooring instead.
Hallway – High traffic areas like hallways need a wood floor that is durable and scratch-resistant. Go for ebony or Brazilian cherry for high-end options or maple, hickory, ash, or oak for more reasonably-priced selections.
Conclusion
As you can see, it really depends on where your floors are going to be installed and what you define as “best” when it comes to choosing the best wood for hardwood floors. Consider your needs and where you’re installing your floor to select the perfect wooden floor for your space.
