Contrary to popular perception, red oak may certainly not the only suitable material for setting up of the hardwood flooring. Hardwood obtained from a variety of species may be used for hardwood flooring setup purpose. The different types of woods may be having different strengths, colors and different types of graining but each of them can assure great looks and superior functionalities.

Popular woods finding usage in flooring

The red oak wood is popularly used in hardwood flooring. Having open grain renders this wood to be more porous than the white oak wood variety. The red oak being hard, heavy and having a medium strength bending and stiffness is simply perfect for flooring.

The white oak wood is harder than red oak. It also has a more uniform appearance. This being heavier and harder than other woods, having a medium bending strength and low stiffness can resist wearing better.

Pine wood being softer is more susceptible to dents and scratches but is nevertheless used for serving as flooring material. The knotty pine had been particularly preferred by Americans over the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This being less desirable than other hardwoods owing to its softer nature can also be obtained at a lower price.

Hardwood flooring making use of the maple wood is also valued for its appealing uniform texture and resistance to wearing and abrasion. The color of flooring using maple wood varies from pale white to light reddish brown. This being a very hard and strong wood is not easy to be scratched or dented. The wood also has a closed grain.

The teak provides a very hard wood that is appropriate for flooring. It has a similar strength as that of oak and has the natural property of being resistant to insects, fungi, termites and also temperature fluctuations. This is perhaps the best hardwood to be tried out in kitchen and bathroom flooring. However, a thorough finish is required in this case too. The teak hardwood flooring can take on colors ranging from yellowish brown to dark golden brown.

Beech is yet another good hardwood for flooring. Though this is not as popular as the maple or oak that is used for flooring yet it has a special appeal of its own. This takes on colors ranging from mild brown to a pinkish white with interesting flecked grain. It has a consistent tone and patterning thus rendering it befitting in a contemporary setting.

Apart from these the woods obtained from cherry, mahogany, birch and fir are also much suited for acting as flooring material. It is always advisable to take a look at as many options of wood available as you can prior to making a selection for the flooring of your home.