Choosing a hardwood floor for your home or property is a long process and there are many elements that you need to consider before making a decision. From the colour and grade of the wood, to the actual species that you think would work best for your space, there are a number of things to think about.

We would always encourage our clients to be open-minded and really look at all the options available on the market. Having said that, there are only a handful of species of wood that we would advise using for flooring in most domestic and commercial properties.

There are five species of hardwood that outsell them all when it comes to flooring, and here is everything you need to know about these popular species, and why they may be perfect for your home or property.

OAK HARDWOOD FLOORING

By far the most popular species of hardwood flooring is oak, most likely due to its distinctive features, longevity and durability.
It’s known to be a very beautiful species of wood thanks to its golden tone and caramel hues which make any space feel cosy; perfect for family homes.

There are two types of oak wood that work well as flooring; red oak, which is a darker wood with a lot of character and is ideal if you want to achieve a rustic look, and white oak, which is the more popular lighter colour for a bright and modern feel.

Either way, oak wood has a timeless appeal with its natural appearance and very pronounced grain, which may not be to everyone’s taste, but certainly makes it instantly recognisable.

Oak is highly resistant to dents and scratches, which makes it perfect for spaces with a high footfall, such as social spaces or busy homes.

Plus, oak is one of the more affordable hardwoods and it has excellent moisture resistance; hence, it ticks every box you need when it comes to flooring for the home.

WALNUT HARDWOOD FLOORING

Walnut may not be the first choice for everyone because of the limited variety when it comes to colours and tones, but it does make for great flooring.
It’s richer and deeper than oak, so works best in larger spaces, and, when installed, creates a classic and traditional feel in any room - ideal in older/period homes.
It also evokes a sense of warmth and a touch of luxury that cannot always be achieved with woods like oak and ash.

Walnut is softer than oak but still very durable and tough; however, it probably shouldn’t be your first choice in a space with high footfall unless you are willing to put in the time to maintain it.
It is, however, a naturally smooth timber which makes it one of the easiest hardwoods to clean as dust and dirt won’t build up as much in any crevices.

MAPLE HARDWOOD FLOORING

Maple is a leading choice for contemporary spaces.
It has a light and natural finish that can lend itself well to both modern homes and homes with a more rustic feel.
It is highly durable, in fact, it’s the most durable of the five woods listed, so if you need tough flooring that can withstand high footfall, such as in commercial properties, then this is the wood for you.

It is important to note, however, that maple is less porous than other woods, so it can’t absorb stain as well as oak or ash due to its consistency. Therefore, if you want to achieve a certain colour or tone, you will be limited as to what you can do with maple wood.

CHERRY HARDWOOD FLOORING

Cherry wood is often overlooked because it has quite a distinctive and unique look that only suits certain spaces.
It has a natural reddish tint to it, which explains the name ‘cherry’, and comes in rich dark tones and lighter golden-reds that add character to any room. The tones, however, can fade when exposed to constant sunlight which is why cherry hardwood flooring is best used in spaces that don’t have a lot of natural light.

Cherry wood has a beautiful smooth finish which, like walnut, makes it easy to clean and gives it an elevated, luxury feel.

On the downside, it is much softer than oak and maple, so you do need to be a bit more cautious and considerate of where it is being installed.

ASH HARDWOOD FLOORING

Ash wood originates from ash trees, one of the most common in the UK, which are both evergreen and deciduous, meaning that they can produce both softwood and hardwood (something we explored in our Softwood versus Hardwood blog post).
The hardwood used for flooring is highly durable, so much so, that it is even used to make baseball bats. You can rest assured that ash hardwood flooring will stand the test of time and survive years of daily wear and tear.

Ash wood can come is a wide range of colours, from almost white to dark brown, so you’re bound to find the perfect fit for your interior.
It also has a distinctive grain that gives it character and works well in very modern spaces.

Ash wood is less resistant to moisture than oak, so you should avoid using it in spaces that may be exposed to water in anyway such as kitchens and hallways.

Having said that, there are many ways to protect your wood flooring so this should not be a deciding factor in opting for, or against, ash wood.

If you are unsure as to which species of hardwood would work best for your home or commercial property, then start by getting some advice from a flooring expert.
We can come to your property, take a look at your space and help you choose the perfect hardwood flooring - from the species and colour to the grade and finish - so that you can create your dream home.