Blogging About Builders

When you look at a wood floor, it is typically made from oak or maple. Quite often, you'll also see cherry or walnut floors. But while these woods are the most common ones used in flooring, they are not the only ones. Here are some more offbeat wood species you can use to create wood flooring, if desired.

Beech

Beech is a very hard hardwood, which is why it works so well for flooring. It has been used, over the years, to make athletic floors such as squash court floors and even bowling lanes. Its light color makes it look really fresh and appealing, but you can stain it a deeper color if you desire. Since beech is so hard, it works well in high-traffic rooms and areas such as hallways, entryways, and living rooms. Its only real downfall is its potential for splitting and cracking as it ages, which can be minimized if you keep the humidity a little higher in your home.

Ash

Ash is another wood with a naturally light color. It has a swirl-like grain pattern which a lot of people find attractive. If you're looking for a wood floor with a bit more character, this is a good choice. Ash wood isn't the hardest wood available, but it's definitely hard enough to use for flooring. It can stand up to wear in a living room or dining room. The downfall of ash is that it's becoming harder to come by. A pest called the emerald ash borer is destroying a lot of ash trees in North America.

Ebony

Ebony is a beautiful, dark-colored wood that is commonly used to make floors. It is almost black in color — without the need for any stain or finish. Ebony does scratch easily, so you will need to be careful when moving furniture over it. Some people protect it with area rugs, which really helps. Ebony can be pretty expensive, so you may not want to use it for your whole first floor or for a great room. However, it can be a wonderful accent floor material in a bedroom or a studio.

If you are looking for a flooring material that's a departure from oak and maple, consider the options above. Beech, ash, and ebony are all good choices for flooring, and each one has its pros and cons. The right floor for you is out there.

To learn more, contact a company such as New York Hardwood Floors.