What Are the Different Types of Wood Floors and Which Is Right for Me?

Not only do 90% of homeowners have active plans to remodel their homes, but a third of them plan to do so within the next couple of years.

If you’re among these individuals, you’re likely wondering what types of wood floors you have to choose from. Read on to learn some of the most common options on the market so that you can make the most informed choice.

Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood is wood flooring in its purest form. These options are made from multiple boards of polished and buffed wood cut directly from a tree. Each plank is a single solid piece of wood that has an 18-20 millimeter thickness and lays directly on your floor.

The most popular wood types for solid hardwood floors include:

• Teak
• Maple
• Oak
• Walnut
• Cherry

The biggest advantage of solid hardwood is that it’s beautiful and completely natural. If you want to give your kitchen a timeless and classic appeal, this is the way to go to ensure that your flooring never goes out of style.

The only real drawback to wood floors is the cost and perceived lack of durability. The latter can be easily dealt with, however, when you use polyurethane varnish for wood floors.

Engineered Alternatives

Engineered wood flooring, also known as composite hardwood, is a factory-made alternative to solid hardwood. Many people consider it the best type of wood flooring because it uses chemical binders and coatings that make the surface both attractive and durable.

While composite wood looks nearly identical to its natural alternatives, it lasts for much longer. It’s specifically engineered to be resistant to the moisture and water damage that will warm and stain natural wood planks over time. It also has greater scratch resistance because of the coating applied to it.

Aesthetically, most engineered hardwood planks have a top layer of veneer made from real hardwood. You can get it to look like any of the common types of wood flooring we discussed earlier. It can be easily sanded, buffed, and polished to keep its appearance, making maintenance easy.

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is among the more different types of wood floors on the market. It’s not technically hardwood since bamboo is actually a grass that needs to be highly processed in order to create planks for flooring. However, since it looks like hardwood and is generally thought of as such, it’s still a wood flooring option to consider.

This flooring is genuinely light in color because of the plant’s natural hue. However, it can be darkened through a process called carbonization. Regardless of the hue, all bamboo hardwood is remarkably durable because it’s scratch and stain resistant. It also is waterproof and heatproof.

Bamboo is incredibly sustainable because it grows so quickly. It’s a highly renewable resource and therefore an ethical choice that doesn’t contribute to deforestation.

Beyond the Types of Wood Floors

Now that you know some of the best types of wood floors that you can use in your home, it’s time to get more tips on how to make your next interior renovations a success.

Check out the ‘home improvements’ tab on our webpage for more ideas on how to make your space appear timeless and classy. You’ll find maintenance tips here alongside ideas for decorating and sprucing up your space. Start browsing to make the most of your next remodel!