Hardwood Flooring 101: Choosing a Wood Species
Why Species Selection Matters
Installing a new floor is one of the most important—and potentially most expensive—home improvement projects you'll undertake. With so many flooring materials available, including hardwood, laminate, engineered wood, vinyl, and tile, it's essential to understand how your choice impacts interior design, durability, installation difficulty, and long-term maintenance. Hardwood flooring remains a classic flooring option because of its natural warmth, timeless elegance, and strong resale value.
At 2020 Flooring, we provide a wide variety of domestic and exotic hardwood flooring species from around the world, including reclaimed wood options. When you visit our showroom, open 7 days a week, 362 days a year, our flooring experts will help you compare materials, hardness ratings, grain patterns, plank sizes, and finishes. We offer free in-home measurements and estimates, professional design assistance, and expert installation to ensure your hardwood floor lasts a lifetime.
Choosing the right wood species is crucial because each species differs in Janka hardness rating, color variation, grain pattern, and durability. It's also important to consider where hardwood flooring can be installed: solid hardwood works best in above-grade areas such as living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms. It is not recommended for basements or bathrooms due to moisture concerns. Kitchens may be suitable depending on lifestyle and maintenance preferences.
Wood Species Guide
Browse our full selection of domestic and exotic hardwood species. Each entry includes hardness ratings, appearance notes, and real-world performance details.
Oak — The Classic Choice
Oak is the most popular domestic hardwood flooring species in the United States and serves as the industry benchmark for hardness. Red Oak Natural remains one of the most sought-after options due to its moderate to heavy graining and warm color tones ranging from creamy reddish pinks to deeper browns. White Oak, slightly harder, features golden-brown hues with gray undertones and offers exceptional stability and durability. Because of its tighter grain structure, White Oak takes stain very evenly, making it a versatile choice for both traditional and modern interiors.
Oak flooring is available in strip widths (1 1/2″, 2 1/4″, 2 1/2″) and plank widths (3″ to 6″), with thicknesses ranging from 1/2″ to 3/4″. It is offered in both prefinished and unfinished options, allowing for custom finishes tailored to your home's style.
- Janka hardness: 1,290 (Red Oak)
- Stain behavior: takes stain very well (especially White Oak)
- Look: moderate to heavy natural grain pattern
- Value: excellent durability and resale value
- Options: multiple widths, grades, and finishes
White Oak — Durable & Timeless
White Oak is slightly harder than Red Oak and is prized for its exceptional durability, stability, and elegant appearance. Its natural coloring ranges from warm golden-browns to subtle gray undertones, making it ideal for homeowners who prefer a neutral hardwood floor without the pink tones found in Red Oak. Because of its tighter grain structure, White Oak accepts stain colors evenly and consistently.
- Janka hardness: 1,360
- Performance: excellent durability and stability
- Finishing: even stain absorption
- Style: moderate linear grain with natural variation
Maple — Clean & Contemporary
Maple hardwood flooring is known for its pale, creamy white color and subtle grain patterns. It is one of the harder domestic species and works beautifully in contemporary and minimalist interiors. Maple can feature unique "birdseye" figuring and fine straight grain patterns. Because Maple contains both hard and soft cell structures, staining darker colors requires conditioning to prevent blotching.
- Janka hardness: 1,450
- Wear: very hard and durable
- Look: light, fine grain patterns
- Finish tip: may require conditioner before dark staining
American Cherry — Warm & Elegant
American Cherry offers graceful grain patterns and rich natural warmth. Though softer than many other hardwood species, it is valued for its distinctive reddish tones and beautiful aging process, darkening over time into a deep reddish-brown. Wider planks showcase its natural variation without appearing overly busy.
- Janka hardness: 950
- Color: warm reddish tones that deepen with age
- Best format: wider planks (5″+)
- Feel: softer underfoot vs. many hardwoods
Birch — Subtle & Smooth
Birch hardwood flooring comes in Yellow Birch (creamy white sapwood) and Red Birch (golden-brown heartwood with red undertones). Both varieties feature fine, smooth graining with subtle curls. Birch delivers understated beauty and slight color variation, making it a versatile choice for many home styles.
- Janka hardness: 1,260
- Look: fine, uniform grain
- Variation: slight natural color shifts
- Types: Red and Yellow varieties
Walnut — Rich & Sophisticated
Also known as American Walnut or Black Walnut, this species is admired for its deep, chocolate-brown coloring and fine straight grain. Walnut adds instant warmth and luxury to any room. Though softer than some domestic species, it remains a popular choice for homeowners seeking dramatic, natural beauty.
- Janka hardness: 1,010
- Color: rich dark brown tones
- Grain: fine straight grain with character variations
- Vibe: ideal for elegant interior spaces
Hickory — Bold & Extremely Durable
Hickory is one of the hardest domestic wood species available and is highly valued for its striking color variation and dramatic grain patterns. Tones range from creamy whites to medium and dark browns. Wider planks are recommended to showcase its unique character without overwhelming the room.
- Janka hardness: 1,820
- Durability: among the hardest domestic woods
- Look: dramatic color and grain variation
- Tip: best suited for wider planks
Yellow Pine — Rustic Charm
Yellow Pine is a softer domestic wood known for its knots, pitch spots, and rustic appearance. Often offered as reclaimed flooring, Pine works beautifully in country or farmhouse-style homes. Because it is softer and more reactive to humidity changes, seasonal gaps may occur.
- Janka hardness: 690–870
- Look: rustic knots and character markings
- Movement: soft wood with seasonal expansion/contraction
- Popular: reclaimed wide planks
Ash — Energetic Grain Patterns
Ash hardwood flooring features bold graining similar to White Oak but with more dramatic movement. Colors range from pale white to light and medium browns. Ash adds energy and visual interest while still maintaining excellent durability.
- Janka hardness: 1,320
- Grain: bold, dynamic movement
- Color: light to medium brown tones
- Strength: durable and visually distinctive
Beech — Smooth & Consistent
Beech hardwood flooring is known for its tight, straight grain and moderate color variation. The heartwood displays warm brown tones with red undertones, while sapwood appears pale tan. Its uniform appearance makes it suitable for modern and transitional interiors.
- Janka hardness: 1,300
- Grain: closed, straight
- Color: warm brown heartwood tones
- Variation: moderate natural shifts
Amendoim (Brazilian Oak) — Exotic Warmth
Also known as Brazilian Oak, Amendoim features golden to reddish-brown tones with a subtle holographic appearance. The grain pattern is generally light and blends beautifully into the warm background color. Exposure to light enriches and deepens the color over time.
- Janka hardness: 1,912
- Color: golden to reddish-brown hues
- Aging: color deepens with light exposure
- Look: distinctive exotic appearance
Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) — Bold & Dramatic
Brazilian Cherry is one of the most popular exotic hardwood flooring choices due to its extreme hardness and dramatic color variation. Featuring reddish-brown tones with blonde and deep red highlights, it creates a vibrant mosaic effect throughout the room. The color becomes richer with light exposure.
- Janka hardness: 2,820
- Traffic: highly durable for busy areas
- Look: dramatic red and brown variation
- Aging: color deepens over time
Santos Mahogany — Refined Exotic Beauty
Santos Mahogany offers rich medium to dark brown tones with orange undertones and wavy open grain patterns. Slightly more subtle in variation than Brazilian Cherry, it still provides exotic warmth and strong durability. The color stabilizes after exposure to light.
- Janka hardness: 2,200
- Color: medium to dark brown variation
- Grain: wavy patterns
- Wear: excellent durability
Tigerwood (Bolivian Koa) — Striking Contrast
Tigerwood is known for its dramatic dark striping against a golden-brown background. Best suited for wider planks, Tigerwood creates a bold visual statement. Exposure to light softens the contrast slightly as the color deepens.
- Janka hardness: 2,160
- Look: bold dark striping
- Best format: wider planks (5″+)
- Aging: color stabilizes after light exposure
Kempas — Durable Red Tones
Kempas is a highly durable exotic hardwood featuring vibrant red and reddish-orange tones that deepen over time. Grain patterns are generally light with slight color variation from board to board, making it an excellent choice for homeowners seeking warmth and durability.
- Janka hardness: 1,710
- Color: strong red and orange tones
- Wear: highly durable exotic species
- Aging: color deepens within first few months