The best hardwood floors are made with wood species that are readily available and — you guessed it — very hard. Oak flooring, maple flooring and cherry flooring are all good choices. Other species include bamboo (which is actually a grass), walnut, ash and mahogany.

Hardwood floors are easy to maintain, durable and provide better air quality. But they can be expensive, right? Depending on the other floor you are considering, wood floors may be more expensive option to purchase. However, there are a few factors you should consider.

Hardwood flooring is made of solid wood, and it's one of the most popular flooring options. It is usually made of hardwood species like maple, oak or walnut. And it has a significantly longer lifespan that allows for sanding and refinishing over and over.

Hardwood flooring is better for appearance, lifespan and resale value. Laminate flooring is better for cost, ease of installation and comfort. Overall, hardwood flooring is considered to be better than laminate flooring since it is a complete floor material, not simply a floor covering.

Solid hardwood flooring is, as the name implies, solid wood. As such, the process of creating the finished product from its raw material is less “manufacturing” than milling, drying, and more milling. At the lumber mill, logs are milled into one-inch-thick boards of random widths and lengths.

Whether tile or wood is better for the main floor of your home depends on your priorities. Wood floors are softer and warmer to walk on. They also offer a versatile appearance. Meanwhile, tile is more durable and moisture-resistant, and it comes in just about every shape, color and pattern imaginable.

Hardwood floors are great in almost every aspect except one – they aren't waterproof! Untreated solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring can withstand droplets of water; however, large quantities of water destroy the structural integrity causing swelling, warping, and bloating.

This is probably the most expensive hardwood floors in the world. It is an exotic wood with an appearance that resembles the striping of a zebra. The zebra wood was a favorite choice among the rich – it was used inside luxury cars such as Mercedes Benz, but also in Prada's flagship store in Manhattan.

Probably the biggest benefit of hardwood is its unique and beautiful look. Hardwood is one of the oldest flooring materials there is, and it never goes out of style. Because of the large variety of trees and wood types, a world of colors, consistencies, designs, and grain patterns are available.

Contrary to what the name suggests, hardwood isn't always hard. Hardwood refers to the type of tree the wood comes from—specifically, angiosperms or flowering plants. These trees are generally slower-growing, resulting in denser wood. Some common examples include oak, maple, and walnut.

5 Cons of Wooden Flooring

• Not very cost-effective. Although wooden floorings may have several advantages, they also come with a hefty price tag. ...
• Termites can cause severe issues. ...
• Water and moisture damage can happen. ...
• Occasional refinishing needed. ...
• It can be noisy at times. ...
• 10 thoughts on “5 Pros and Cons of Wooden Flooring”

Among domestic hardwood species, hickory tops the charts with an 1820 rating. Maple and white oak follow at 1450 and 1360. Not surprisingly, Dogwood uses hickory and white oak for the majority of its offering. You can also select from walnut and red oak, two other durable types of hardwood flooring.

Vinyl plank flooring often offers more soundproofing than hardwood, so it works well for active homeowners. "Some vinyl flooring products come with an acoustic backing that enhances sound insulation, reducing and absorbing sound, so it's great for multi-story buildings or homes with children and pets," says Watts.

If you care for it properly, solid hardwood can last 30 to 100 years or longer. Good-quality engineered hardwood usually lasts 20 to 30 years, and some brands advertise even longer life expectancy. For both types of flooring, the quality of the product and installation matter, as do consistent maintenance and cleaning.

One of the main advantages of laminate flooring is its cost. On average, laminate floors are significantly less expensive than hardwood floors. The price range for laminate flooring typically falls between $1 and $7 per square foot, while hardwood flooring can range from $3 to $15 per square foot.

That doesn't detract from the fact that hardwood floors are more expensive than their competitors, mainly due to the cost of high-quality materials and the longevity of the boards themselves. You may also need to pay a laborer to install your floors for you.

Solid hardwood holds a slight edge in prestige and continues to be a top choice for its wide range of wood species choices and durability. However, the lower cost and easier installation of engineered hardwood flooring give it an edge over solid hardwood.

Hardwood floors are typically nailed or glued down, while vinyl floors are often installed using interlocking or floating planks. Check the edges of the flooring. Hardwood floors will have square or tongue-and-groove edges, while vinyl floors will have a rolled or beveled edge.

Natural looking floors have been one of the fastest growing color categories in 2023, and will remain a popular floor color heading into 2024. Natural hardwood floors provide a subtle hint of color to your home, while putting most of the attention on your wall paint and decor.