What Type Of Wood Are Floorboards Made From?
I know my 1920s house has floorboards under the carpet, but what type of wood are floorboards made from? I don’t want to go through the labor and expense of restoring them, if I won’t like the look of the result! So I’ve been researching the types of wood commonly used for flooring. It turns out there are about half a dozen each of hardwood and softwood tree species most commonly used for floorboards. And each has their own unique properties, pros, and cons.
Contents
- What type of wood are floorboards made from?
- The pros and cons of softwood floors
- The advantages and disadvantages of hardwood floorboards
- Identifying what type of wood are floorboards made from
- The most common floorboard hardwoods
What Type of Wood Are Floorboards Made From?
Wood has been used as flooring for centuries. While the look and styling of the wood have changed and evolved through the years, there’s no question this is one of the oldest and most desirable types of flooring available today. If you are considering investing in new wooden flooring, you may wonder – what type of wood are floorboards made from?
The most common hardwoods used for modern floorboards in residential properties are
- cherry
- oak
- maple
- hickory
- walnut.
Keep in mind, though, that not just hardwoods are used for residential flooring. Many softwood species are also used because of how smooth they are. Some popular options include
- hemlock
- pine
- spruce
- fir
- cedar
- cypress.
Each variety of wood has unique properties and characteristics. To choose the right type of wood for your flooring, it’s important to learn more about the options. This will ensure you find a material that can stand up to your lifestyle and provide the look and aesthetics you want for your home.
The Pros And Cons Of Softwood Flooring
Some wood floorboards are made with softwood. Usually, softwood floorboards are more affordable than hardwood, making them a more popular option for those with a limited budget. Softwood trees also grow faster than hardwoods, so they are considered a more sustainable choice than hardwoods.
Softwood floors look sturdy and beautiful but are not as durable or long-lasting as hardwood boards. For example, if you have softwood floorboards, they will be dented more easily. It isn’t unusual to see dings, scratches, scuffs, and more in higher-traffic areas.
As time passes, the wear and tear will become more and more pronounced. Refinishing this type of flooring is possible, but there is a limit to how many times it can be done. However, lots of home owners are happy to have a softwood floor which bears a visual record of its history, and celebrate its imperfections.
Why Hardwood Is a Smart Option for Residential Floorboards
Floorboards made from hardwood species are extremely durable and can stand up to heavy traffic, generation after generation. All this time, it will maintain its aesthetic and structural integrity – perfect if you want a pristine look for as long as possible.
Solid hardwood floorboards can also be refinished repeatedly. This means as your style and preferences change, so can your floor. The wood planks are milled to ensure a stable and uniform fit.
Hardwood floors also come in a wider range of natural colors and grains than softwoods, so you have more choices to complement the aesthetic of your home. Another appealing factor is that hardwood flooring can increase your home and property value.
Identifying Why Type Of Wood Are Floorboards Made From
There are very many hardwood tree species. However, just a few of them are used for floorboards. Some popular choices are readily identifiable, such as oak, cherry, and walnut. This makes identifying what type of wood is somewhat easier, but even professional installers get stumped occasionally.
Knowing what type of wood floorboards you have will help you know how to clean and maintain them to keep the flooring looking new and longer. You can use The Wood Database online to see specific grain options, colors, and hardnesses, which help identify different hardwoods. If your floor has been stained or lacquered and it’s making it hard to recognize the type of wood underneath, then scraping off the top layer in a discreet corner can give you a better view. Or, ask a flooring specialist to come and identify the wood for you.
If you are in the market for wood flooring, knowing more about the properties of the most hardwoods used for floorboards can help you choose the right one.
The Most Common Hardwoods Used For Floorboards
- Oak
- Cherry
- Maple
- Walnut
- Ash
- Hickory
Oak
Oak is a traditional choice for flooring and adds a sense of warmth and charm to any space. You can purchase it in red or white, with red oak being more neutral than white. White oak is a pale brown with gray or pink undertones.
Cherry
Another popular flooring option, cherry wood, has a tight grain and soft pink and deep red hues. It usually has a lustrous finish and a high amount of shine but is more susceptible to sun damage than other wood species.
Maple
This wood flooring has a closed grain and distinct blonde color. It’s durable and one of the hardest wood options for flooring. It can withstand heavy traffic for several decades and doesn’t require much maintenance. It’s affordable and takes stains well to mimic the look of cherry or walnut.
Walnut
Walnut has a rich brown color and deep purple hue with a grain that appears swirled. It’s a softer hardwood but stands up well in natural light. Although it is more expensive than other options, it’s lightweight. It’s also great for the upper floors of a home.
Ash
Ash is a very light wood in color, with a whitish hue. It’s a good option for the high-traffic area and is comfortable on bare feet. It’s also a more affordable option.
Hickory
When hickory wood is maintained, it will last your entire life and many lifetimes after you are gone. It varies in color from creamy white to reddish brown with swirls of grain. It’s more expensive to install because of how hard it is to cut and extreme hardness.
And Some Common Softwoods
Hardwood floors have gained a reputation for being more desirable than softwood floors. But in regions where softwood tree species outnumber hardwood trees species, some homes have had the same softwood floors for over 300 years! So, they’re still worthy of your consideration.
Pine
Pine is the most frequently used softwood for floors. It dents easily, but over time the fibers in the wood compress and harden, giving it impressive long term durability. Some fitters recommend using a specialist flooring clear coat to improve short term durability too. The other downside of pine is that it changes color a lot in the sun, which will show if you move your furniture around!
Spruce
Spruce is a popular light neutral softwood with fewer yellow tones than pine. This makes it a popular alternative for people for whom pine looks dated. It looks especially good in modern, minimalist, and scandi decor schemes.
Cedar
Cedar is a fast growing, highly renewable, North-American native softwood species. The grain often has high contrast between light and dark areas, and a warm red hue. So it makes a big visual impact, but a low environmental one!
Now You Know What Wood Floorboards Are Made Of
With the information here, you should have a good idea of what wood floorboards are made of. Each wood option offers specific benefits and drawbacks, so you should consider them carefully to find the right one for your home and needs. You can also speak to professionals who will be able to make a personalized recommendation based on your needs and budget.
