Selecting the correct type of wood flooring for your home can be overwhelming, especially for new homeowners. This guide will help you understand which wood flooring options are the most durable and practical, which are best suited for homes with pets, and what works well in different rooms of your house.
Define Your Expectations for Wood Flooring
Choosing the right type of wood flooring can be challenging. To make the best decision, consider your expectations for your new flooring.
Room Location
Where do you want to install the wood flooring? Different rooms have different requirements.
Important Properties
What properties are essential for the room? Is it a high-humidity area, a space with heavy foot traffic, or a room that’s rarely used?
Environmental Impact
Do you prefer an eco-friendly option, or is this less important to you?
Pets
Do you have pets? This can influence the durability and type of flooring you choose.
Essential Requirements for Quality and Durable Flooring
Depending on the room’s function, your flooring should meet specific criteria.
Entryway
- Must withstand heavy wear from shoes, dirt, and moisture.
- Should be resistant to chemicals and non-slip.
Kitchen
- Faces significant mechanical stress and dirt.
- Needs to be easy to clean, water-resistant, durable, non-slip, and capable of handling temperature changes.
Living Room and Bedroom
- Should be both reliable and aesthetically pleasing.
- Must feel good underfoot, be eco-friendly, and blend seamlessly with the interior decor.
Bathroom
- Must be non-slip, water-resistant, and not deform from temperature fluctuations.
- Wood flooring is generally not recommended for bathrooms.
Setting Your Flooring Expectations
By defining your expectations and needs, you can better consult with experts or research the correct type of wood flooring. At this stage, don’t worry about the design aspect; we’ll address that later.
Choosing the Right Wood Type
When selecting wood flooring, longevity is likely your primary concern. Sellers often link this to the hardness of the wood. But is this really a reliable indicator?
Wood hardness is measured by the Janka scale, which is a standard test manufacturers typically use. It determines the amount of force required to embed a steel ball (0.444 inches in diameter) halfway into the wood. The higher the Janka ranking, the harder the wood type. However, it’s important to note that the Janka test doesn’t measure resistance to scratches, wear, and other types of damage.
The table below helps you understand the relative hardness of various popular wood species used in flooring.
| WOOD SPECIES | RATING: SOFT TO HARD |
| Douglas Fir | 660 |
| Southern. Yellow Pine, Shortleaf | 690 |
| Southern Yellow Pine, Longleaf | 890 |
| Black Cherry | 950 |
| Teak | 1000 |
| Black Walnut | 1010 |
| Heartpine | 1225 |
| Yellow Birch | 1260 |
| Red Oak, Northern | 1290 |
| American Beech | 1300 |
| Bamboo* – Teragren Craftsman II | 1307 |
| Ash | 1320 |
| White Oak | 1360 |
| Australian Cypress | 1375 |
| Hard Maple | 1450 |
| Wenge | 1620 |
| African Padauk | 1725 |
| Hickory | 1820 |
| Pecan | 1820 |
| Purpleheart | 1860 |
| Taun (Malaccan Cherry) | 1900 |
| Jarrah | 1910 |
| Merbau | 1925 |
| Santos Mahogany | 2200 |
| Brazilian Cherry | 2345 |
| Brazilian Pecan | 2350 |
| Cumaru | 3540 |
| Red Cumaru | 3640 |
| Brazilian Ebony | 3585 |
| Brazilian Walnut | 3680 |
| Patagonian Rosewood | 3840 |
Considerations Beyond Hardness
While you might be advised to choose the most durable wood for your flooring, consider these points:
- Softwood Strengthening: Softwood can be reinforced with special protective coatings to prevent severe damage.
- Repairability: Some types of wood flooring can be sanded, refinished, or have damaged sections replaced.
- Cost: Hardwood is generally more expensive.
- Installation Difficulty: Harder wood is more challenging to cut, drill, and nail, making installation more expensive.
Choosing a Type of Flooring
| Type of Wood Flooring | Durability | Installation Difficulty | Water Resistance | Repairability | Lifespan | Eco-Friendliness | Cost | Suitable Rooms | Pet-Friendly |
| Solid Hardwood | Depends on the wood species. It’s hard to damage. | Complex installation on a prepared subfloor. Usually done by professionals. | Low water resistance, especially if the top protective layer of varnish is worn. | It can be sanded and refinished. The protective coating can be reapplied. | 50+ years | Eco-friendly. | High | Living room, bedrooms, nursery, office. | Yes, but scratches may appear on varnished surfaces. |
| Parquet | Depending on the wood type, it can get scratched and damaged by furniture. | Complex installation | Low water resistance. | Repairable but expensive. | 40+ years | Eco-friendly. | High | Nursery, bedroom, living room, office. | Yes, if properly protected. |
| Cork Flooring | Can dent from heavy furniture. | Requires specialized knowledge for installation. | Yes, with special treatment. | Minor damages can be repaired. | 7+ years | Eco-friendly. | High | Nursery, bedroom, living room. | Ideal for pets. |
| Engineered Wood | Durable, scratch-resistant. | Moderately complex installation. Often done by professionals. | Yes, if maintenance guidelines are followed. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause deformation. | Repairable but labor-intensive. | 15+ years | Contains toxic adhesives. | Moderate. | Nursery, bedroom, living room, office. | Suitable due to scratch resistance. However, it can be slippery. |
| Parquet Board | The top layer is susceptible to mechanical damage. | Quick installation | Yes, with a protective layer. Prolonged exposure to water can cause deformation. | Large sections need to be removed for repair. | Up to 10 years | Eco-friendly. | High. | Nursery, bedroom, living room. | It is not ideal due to scratch susceptibility and moderate water resistance. |
| Laminate | Scratch-resistant | Quick installation | Yes, depending on the grade. Prolonged exposure to water can cause deformation. | It is easy to replace damaged sections by yourself. | 10+ years | 90% natural materials, but some manufacturers use toxic substances. | Moderate. | Kitchen, hallway, living room, nursery, bedroom, office. | Yes, but only water-resistant types. It can be slippery. |
| Bamboo Flooring | Scratch-resistant | Quick installation | High water resistance. | It can be sanded and varnished. | 15+ years | Completely eco-friendly | High. | Nursery, living room, bedroom, office, kitchen | Yes, especially mature bamboo. |
Laminate flooring is often chosen as a more affordable alternative to hardwood. If you’re comparing the two, our Laminate Flooring Buying Guide explains its structure, durability, and installation in detail.
Choosing the Design
The most enjoyable part of selecting wood flooring is the design. Wood floors are highly valued for their texture and pattern variety. The color of the floor is a crucial aspect of interior design, setting the foundation for all other elements and influencing the room’s overall atmosphere. Different color combinations can create various emotions and feelings, making the choice of floor color very important.
Light Floors
- Light-colored floors create a sense of space and brightness, especially in smaller rooms.
- They impart a clean, airy, and fresh feel to a room, making them ideal for bedrooms.
Dark Floors
- Dark-colored floors add warmth, depth, and coziness, creating a more formal and classic atmosphere.
- They are perfect for living rooms or dining areas where a richer ambiance is desired.
Room Colors
- Consider the primary colors in the room. A darker floor may be the better choice if the walls and furniture are in deep, dark tones.
- A light floor can enhance the spacious and bright feel if the room has lighter tones.
Lighting Considerations
- If the room lacks natural light, choosing a lighter floor and light-colored walls can help brighten the space.
- Conversely, dark floors can balance the abundance of light in well-lit rooms, adding warmth and character.
Proportion Management
- Light floors can make high ceilings appear even higher, enhancing the feeling of spaciousness.
- Dark floors can help balance low ceilings, making the room feel more proportionate and grounded.
Choosing the right floor design involves considering these aspects to create a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing space that reflects your personal style and enhances your home’s overall ambiance.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Wood Flooring
Several factors can significantly impact the overall cost when budgeting for wood flooring.
- Type of Wood
The price varies based on the wood species. Rare woods are more expensive, as are those that are more difficult to source or process. The grade and quality of the wood also affect the cost.
- Flooring Thickness
Thicker wood flooring is usually more expensive. However, it often offers greater durability and longevity, making the higher price worth it.
- Eco-Friendliness
Flooring made with minimal chemical treatments tends to be pricier. These eco-friendly options are popular for their reduced environmental impact and healthier indoor air quality.
- Room Size
Larger rooms require more materials and labor, increasing the total cost. Always measure your space accurately to estimate the amount of flooring needed.
- Subfloor Preparation
Some wood flooring types need a perfectly level subfloor. Extensive preparation work can add to the cost, so consider the condition of your subfloor when choosing your flooring.
- Installation Complexity
More complex installation processes can increase labor costs. Some types of wood flooring are easier to install than others, saving you money on professional installation.
- Maintenance Requirements
Different flooring types have varying maintenance needs. For example, laminate flooring doesn’t require oiling or sanding, whereas cork or hardwood floors might need regular upkeep. Understanding the maintenance demands can help you choose a floor that fits your lifestyle and budget.
By considering these factors, you can make a more informed decision and budget effectively for your new wood flooring.
Final Thoughts
Wood flooring isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best choice depends on where you’ll install it, how much stress the floor will face, and what matters most to you—durability, comfort, looks, or sustainability.
- For high-traffic areas like entryways or kitchens, prioritize scratch resistance, water resistance, and ease of cleaning. Laminate, engineered wood, or dense species like hickory or Brazilian walnut perform well here.
- For bedrooms and living rooms, focus on comfort, appearance, and warmth. Solid hardwood, bamboo, or cork are all strong contenders.
- If you have pets, choose flooring with strong top layers and good scratch resistance—engineered wood or high-grade laminate can be safer bets than soft hardwoods. And if you already have laminate floors, see our Complete Guide on Protecting Laminate Flooring to keep them looking new for years.
- Avoid wood in bathrooms—no matter how treated, it’s rarely a good long-term solution in wet spaces.
Hardness ratings are helpful, but they’re just one part of the puzzle. Installation costs, repairability, environmental impact, and maintenance can matter just as much in day-to-day life. Instead of chasing the “most durable” option, find the one that fits your lifestyle.
