Oak's distinctive grain pattern helps to hide the occasional dings and scratches. For these reasons, Oak is ideal for high-traffic areas and pet-friendly homes. Its classic and conventional design suits practically any kind of decor and furniture. For all practical purposes, oak flooring is considered the gold standard. The only reason you might not like Oak is if you prefer something with a more subtle grain pattern. Janka hardness rating: 700–1450.

There are two types of oak flooring available: red oak and white oak. They differ just slightly in color, graining, and hardness. Otherwise, both share the same qualities. Red oak has a more reddish color than white oak, which has a range of golden, brown, and gray tones. Some white oaks have a more delicate grain pattern. As previously said, red oak is the most common, but both are widely available.  Oak is a popular choice since it comes in a wide variety of colors and tints.  

Pictured: Sherwood Oak Flooring

Maple wood floors are typically inexpensive, though more expensive than Oak. Janka hardness rating: 700-1450. 

Maple is a common wood species in the northern United States and Canada. There's no doubt we here in The Carolina's love it too! Maple comes in several species and grades. As a result, Maple wood flooring varies greatly in price, quality, hardness, and grain pattern. 

Maple usually has a swirling grain pattern. Some Maple wood flooring displays a distinct grain pattern. Then there are spots where it is barely noticeable and the planks are uniformly colored. This is an option for a more uniform appearance. It is also ideal for creating a natural, yet elegant and clear finish. Maple lets you pick between uniform and colorful appearances. 

Maple flooring is often harder than Oak flooring, with a hardness value of 1450. The stronger maple is used in bowling alleys because it is highly resistant to dents and scratches. However, because of its hardness, it absorbs stains less efficiently. Stain tends to blotch on Maple unless it has been treated with conditioner. This is a style that some individuals enjoy and that we offer. Stained Maple is available in prefinished boards, so you can preview how it will look before installation.  Maple's natural hue is typically light tones of beige, tan, or gray. It is widely used in modern and contemporary contexts.

Hickory wood floors do run on the slightly more expensive side than Oak, with a Janka hardness rating of 1820. 

Hickory wood floors are commonly found in log cabins and rustic settings, but they are increasingly used in a number of applications. It is distinguished by its distinctive knotted grain pattern and color variety. Its changing texture makes wood most usually found in wide planks. Small boards can make a floor appear quite cluttered. Colors on a single board may range from beige to brown to red. 

Hickory flooring is incredibly hard, having a grade of 1820. It is among the most durable hardwood flooring alternatives that are grown here in the United States. As a result, it is highly durable and scratch-resistant. Hickory wood flooring is ideal for high-traffic areas and pet-friendly homes. It can last a lifetime with proper care and usually needs minimal maintenance. Refinishing will most likely be less frequent than with Oak. 

While its hardness provides these benefits, it also means that installation, sanding, and refinishing will be more expensive. These tasks require greater labor and skill when working with harder woods. This includes staining. However, because Hickory has a natural color, staining is unnecessary. A natural, clear finish is ideal.

There are American Cherry Wood Floors.  It is quite stunning, but it may be somewhat expensive. 950 is the Janka Hardness Rating that is assigned to this option.

The American Cherry tree, which is native to the northern regions of the United States, is one of the domestic species that is most commonly associated with cherries. Besides being harvested for its magnificent wood flooring, the tree is also responsible for producing cherry fruits. 

High-priced cherry hardwood flooring is available online. Cherry, although being a soft wood, is more difficult to work with than other types of wood. Dents and scrapes are more likely to occur on wood that is softer. In locations with little foot activity, such as bedrooms, it is more appropriate to do so. On the other hand, it has a high degree of dimensional stability. This indicates that the proportion of shrinkage and expansion that is caused by temperature and humidity is quite low.

The natural beauty of cherry wood and the unique grain pattern that it possesses are the primary reasons for its allure as a flooring material. The color of cherry is that of a dark reddish brown. The surface of the wood is light-sensitive, and as a result, it darkens. Typically, this takes place within the first six months of the year. Waiting at least that amount of time before placing any area rugs is something that is strongly recommended. When exposed to light, however, the color of wood flooring will change over time since it is photosensitive to varying degrees. This is the case for all types of wood flooring. A few of the wood flooring become lighter, while others become darker. The usage of an area rug should therefore be approached with prudence, regardless of the type of flooring that you select.  Featured Photo illustracted the variances in the color by using a sunlit view of cherry wood flooring. 

The installation of cherry flooring typically involves the use of wider planks that measure between 5 and 8 inches in width, given the industry standards, and the one selected often depends on your project design.. This is done in order to draw attention to the stunning grain pattern. Furthermore, cherry flooring does not often become discolored. Natural color is maintained by the use of a clear coat finish.

Additionally, we have the American Walnut Wood Floors, which are often referred to as Black Walnut Wood Floors, can be a little bit more expensive and have a Janka Hardness Rating which is 1010.

One more option that is very well-liked for hardwood flooring is the walnut family of wood, which is cultivated primarily in the central and eastern regions of the United States. In addition, the delicious walnuts themselves are a well-liked snack! The American Walnut should not be confused with the Brazilian Walnut, which is a type of wood that is far more difficult to work. 

Walnut, much like cherry, is a hardwood that is both expensive and soft. Despite the fact that these woods are more gentle and better suited for regions with minimal foot traffic, the delicate elegance that they possess is what makes them so popular. Depending on the portion of the tree that the walnut comes from, the color and grain of the wood might vary dramatically. It ranges from a light brown to a dark brown color. The appearance of floor planks is often consistent since they vary just slightly from one another.

It is not uusual to find pine, which is also known as Southern Yellow Pine or Eastern White Pine, at a price that is typically considered to be average. 690–870 is the range of the Janka hardness rating. 

Given that it grows rapidly and abundantly in both the United States and Canada, pine is a wood that is considered to be sustainable. There are many different kinds of pine, and the degree of hardness varies depending on the species of pine as well as the part of the tree that it originates from. The Eastern White Pine cultivar, which originates from the northeastern states, is the most common variety. A more robust species, the Southern Yellow Pine is indigenous to the southern region of the United States. The Heart Pine, which has a Janka Hardness score of 1225 and grows in the middle of the tree, is the pine that represents the highest level of hardness. 

The majority of the pine flooring that is available is either Eastern White or Southern Yellow, both of which are far more pliable. Due to the fact that it scratches and dents more easily, you need to exercise greater caution. The refinishing process requires more skill and time, and it has a lower degree of dimensional stability. Pine and other soft woods are more frequently used in older buildings since wood mills were not as capable of working with harder woods when they were first constructed. Pine has a classic appearance that includes exquisite grain and knots that are singular to the species. This is one of the advantages of pine. And as time passes, its appearance becomes more attractive. A variety of colors, including yellowish white, yellow, orange, and brown, can be found in pine.

Flooring made of Ash Wood, which is a good alternative to oak 

In addition to having a Janka Hardness Rating of 1320, the price is somewhat lower than that of many other options for hardwood flooring.  

Another type of tree that is commonly seen in the United States is the ash tree. This alternative is a potential choice because it is less expensive than Oak while yet sharing some similarities with Oak. Because of its medium toughness, which is comparable to that of oak, it is acceptable for use in traffic. When it comes to installation, staining, and refinishing, it performs admirably. Moreover, it possesses a characteristic grain that is comparable to that of oak. Floors made of ash wood are often characterized by their light coloration. Lighter shades of white, yellow, tan, and brown are among the colors that are present.

Floors made of Birch Wood are a bit more wallet-friendly than other selections because their price is lower than that of many other choices. The Janka scale assigns a hardness grade that ranges from 910 to 1470.

In addition to having a pleasant fragrance, birch trees are also used for installing flooring. The fact that it is more readily grown in the United States contributes to the fact that it is reasonably easy to afford. It is less expensive than maple, yet it has a color and grain that are comparable to maple. A fine and faint grain can usually be seen on it. When dyed, it blotches in a manner that is comparable to maple. As a consequence of this, it is often purchased prefinished rather than being finished on-site. 

There is also a corresponding variation of hardness from species to species and from portion of the tree to section of the tree. There are a few different kinds of Birch wood floors that can be purchased, such as Paper, Yellow, Sweet, and Red. These floors range from soft to hard, with Red Birch, which is a heart wood, being the most difficult. Birch is a soft wood that is mostly suitable for low traffic, has a lesser resistance to damage, and has poor dimensional stability. The bulk of the Birch that is available is yellow. There is a combination of white and yellow tones in yellow birch. There are shades of gold, red, and brown available in red birch.

It is typically true that Douglas Fir Wood Flooring does not last very long, unless it is installed in an area that receives a low volume of foot activity and the sole purpose of the flooring is to look good. The price is lower than the majority of the high-resistance hardwood choices, but the Janka Hardness Rating is only 660. 

The West Coast of the United States is where Douglas fir is most commonly found growing. Another type of soft wood that is more frequently discovered in older homes is this particular variety. The Douglas Fir, which has a hardness rating of only 660, is considered to be one of the most gentle types of wood that is used for flooring. Because of this, it is only appropriate for locations with minimal foot traffic because it is easily destroyed and requires cautious treatment whenever it is handled. 

One of the advantages of using Douglas Fir involves the fact that it is rather inexpensive. And its appearance is appealing to individuals who want a floor that has a texture that is uniform throughout. The color of floor boards is quite uniform, and there is very little grain, which results in a look that is uniform. Gold, orange, red, and brown are the colors that are available for Douglas Fir. As time passes, the color becomes more black. There are very few instances in which Douglas Fir flooring is sold prefinished; rather, it is normally finished on-site.

Bamboo Flooring is gaining some popularity in Greensboro, and this trend is expected to continue.

The price is dependent on the quality. 

In terms of Janka hardness rating, the average range is between 1200 and 1400, but there is a significant amount of variation. 

Since approximately the year 2000, bamboo flooring has been increasingly popular as a substitute for hardwood flooring. Rather than being a type of hardwood, bamboo is actually a species of grass. The floor planks are constructed from bamboo strips that have been crushed, which is a bit unique but nevertheless serves its purpose. 

The majority of bamboo is exported from China. Every day, certain species can grow to a height of three feet. Due to the fact that it grows so quickly, it is widely advertised as a "green" renewable resource. On the other hand, there are environmentalists who claim that the fact that it must be brought from China undermines the regenerative nature of the material. 

Regarding the matter at hand, bamboo is easily accessible. With almost a thousand different species. On the other hand, in comparison to hardwood, it is a relatively new material for flooring. The availability of bamboo flooring, on the other hand, has expanded significantly in recent years. It can be purchased in a broad variety of hues, patterns, and surface treatments. Because of the trendy aspect that it possesses, it has acquired appeal. 

Due to the wide variety of species and manufacturing standards, the quality of bamboo flooring can vary substantially from one product to another. Items made of bamboo that are inexpensive should be avoided because, in general, they do not have a particularly long lifespan. When looking for bamboo, it is important to make sure that you look for information regarding warranties, ratings of its hardness, and finishes. 

There is a wide range of species that can be soft like pine or hard like maple. In comparison to oak, the majority of the bamboo that is currently available is of a high quality, with a hardness rating of 1200-1400. Bamboo that is weaved into strands is more resilient and more difficult to break than red oak.