Top Wood Flooring Types for That Perfect Interior

Want to give your interior a natural aesthetic feel? Wood flooring is the way forward! All you need to do is match your requirements with the various wood flooring types available in the market.

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Wood flooring options for your home

You can choose from the following types of flooring for your home:

1. Solid hardwood flooring

Known for its durability and warm feel, solid wood flooring will give your interior an unmatched charm. However, this type is prone to moisture damage and should not be used in humid rooms. This popular variety comes in both pre-finished and unfinished versions. While the finished version makes installation faster, the unfinished one will allow you to customize the finishing and is perfect for kitchens. The costs of this flooring depend on the wood variety you choose. The major types of hardwood floors include:

• Strip flooring – This flooring type has a fixed width, but a variable thickness. The thickness ranges from 5/16 inch to 3/4 inch. Strip flooring comes only in widths of 2 1/4 inches, 2 inches and 1 1/2 inches.
• Plank flooring – The width of plank flooring vary from 3 inches to 8 inches. However, this type comes only in two thicknesses – 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch.
• Parquet flooring – Parquet floors have geometrical patterns on them, giving them a different appeal. 

2. Engineered hardwood flooring

This pocket-friendly variety is a combination of real wood and plastic laminate. Engineered hardwood flooring is better than laminate flooring in terms of quality and resistance to wear and tear. The costs vary from $3 to $13 per square foot. You will also have to shell out an additional $3 to $10 per square foot for installation. 

Read more: 7 Best Sustainable Kitchen Floor Ideas

3. Acrylic-impregnated Wood Flooring

The color and finish of this flooring is consistent throughout the thickness of the flooring. The resistance of this hardwood flooring type to scratches and moisture has made it a popular choice for commercial projects. 

Take a look at our guide on Wood Flooring Options for Your Home

Popular hardwood floor species 

When it comes to picking the wood type, there are numerous wood species available, including the locally grown and imported, exotic varieties. The choice of wood largely depends on the budget and personal preference. Some of the top species are:

1. Cherry

Among all its varieties, the American cherry is probably the most popular. It is known for its pink and red hues and wavy grains. However, it is extremely photosensitive and can be damaged by direct sunlight. If Cherry is what you want on your floor, be ready to shell out  $3 to $8 per square foot for wood and $2 to $4 per square foot for installation. 

2. Walnut

The American walnut is a popular choice for flooring, thanks to its brown color with purple hue. The dark grains adds to its exotic finish. Unlike Cherry, the Walnut isn’t photosensitive and can be used in rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight. This flooring will cost you $5 to $9 per square foot for wood and $2 to $4 per square foot for installation. 

3. Red Oak

Most traditional American homeowners choose this variety for its classic look and feel. Red Oak flooring goes well with a wide range of furniture, thanks to its neutral color with a reddish hue. This flooring will cost you $2 to $6 per square foot for wood and $2 to $4 per square foot for installation.

4. Maple

The unique grain patterns sets Maple apart from the other hardwoods. Maple flooring is extremely durable and has high resistance to heavy impact. If you are a pet parent or have children at home, this is the one to go for. The cost of this wood ranges from $3.5 to $6 per square foot and the installation cost will be from $2 to $4 per square foot.

5. Hickory

Hickory is an extremely durable hardwood and is a common choice for living room flooring in the US. Its light brown color with spectacular grain pattern is perfect for homes with rustic decor. Hickory wood cost vary from $3 to $6 per square foot and the installation cost will be from $2 to $4 per square foot.

6. Ash

This beautiful hardwood comes with a white hue and a natural, warm look. If you are looking for hand-scraped floors, Ash wood will be the perfect pick. It is moderately hard and requires heavy maintenance. The wood cost vary from $5 to $6 per square foot. The installation cost ranges from $2 to $4 per square foot.

7. Douglas Fir

Douglas Fir has a very uniform appearance and is one of the softest hardwoods available in the market. It is very comfortable to stand on Douglas Fir flooring barefooted. However, this wood type requires heavy maintenance. The wood cost vary from $1 to $5 per square foot. The installation cost ranges from $2 to $4 per square foot. 

Take a look at these Top Flooring Trends for this year!

8. Teak

One of the hardest woods available, Teak is a very popular choice for flooring across the globe. The high durability of the wood makes it a perfect choice for families with children and pets. It also has a very long life and a natural shiny finish. The wood cost varies from $9 to $12 per square foot. The installation cost ranges from $2 to $4 per square foot. 

9. Birch

This is an affordable, all-purpose variety that comes in a wide variety of colors. Birch holds color really well and is perfect for individuals who prefer customized look. The major downside is the soft nature of the wood and the fact that it requires a lot of maintenance. The wood cost varies between $3 to $10 per square foot. Installation will cost you $4 to $8 per square foot separately. 

10. Pine

Pine is on the softer side in terms of strength and durability. However, its rich color and clear grain pattern makes it a popular choice. Pine is one of the more affordable species with its cost varying from $1.5 to $2 per square foot. The installation cost ranges from $2 to $4 per square foot.

Read more: Pros and cons pine flooring

11. Bamboo

Bamboo is naturally resistant to moisture and insects, making it a popular choice for flooring. The material cost for bamboo flooring vary between $3 to $4 per square foot and the installation cost ranges between $3 to $5 per square foot. 

12. Mahogany

As an exotic flooring material, Mahogany is one of the more sought-after hardwood species in the US. The material cost for this flooring type ranges between $8 to $15 per square foot and the installation cost vary between $2 and $4 per square foot.

Made up your mind already? So, what are you waiting for? Shortlist the wooden flooring types that best meet your requirements and get in touch with the top flooring service providers today!

Read more: Why Should You Choose Wood Floors in The Kitchen?

Written by Kukun staff. August 1, 2019

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