So, when looking for the most durable hardwood floors, you should primarily look at wood from species like Brazilian Cherry, Hickory, Brazilian Walnut, Hard Maple, White Oak, Bamboo, Santos Mahogany, Red Oak, Australian Cypress, and Tigerwood.
Hickory (1820), the hardest of commonly available hardwoods, boasts a tensile strength that rivals steel.
Among domestic hardwood species, hickory tops the charts with an 1820 rating. Maple and white oak follow at 1450 and 1360. Not surprisingly, Dogwood uses hickory and white oak for the majority of its offering. You can also select from walnut and red oak, two other durable types of hardwood flooring.
As the indisputable king of durable wooden flooring, the Brazilian walnut tree, also known as ipê, reigns supreme as an excellent option for homeowners prioritising durability.
Tiles - Bathroom, Kitchen, Hallways
Ceramic and porcelain tiles will also stand the test of time, as a long lasting and hard wearing flooring option. With styles and finishes to suit most budgets, they are also great for rooms with underfloor heating.
Caring for engineered wood floors will, therefore, require regular cleaning and periodic maintenance. But then, with good care, engineered wood has a life expectancy of 20-100 years, depending on the quality, proactive maintenance of the product, wear and tear and the traffic in the room.
Prime grade hardwood flooring is free from any visible knots, mineral streaks, and color variations, giving it a clean, uniform look. There will also be a minimal amount of sapwood defects and filler, if any at all.
The most durable wood floor finish is aluminum oxide, which can last up to 25 years with proper care.
Typically, solid hardwood flooring is between 5/16 and ¾ inches thick. Those are pretty standard thicknesses that serve most needs. Engineered hardwood can come in different thicknesses but generally, it's about the same offerings as solid hardwood.
While no hardwood floor can be completely resistant to scratches, certain choices in a hardwood flooring's composition and appearance can result in everyday wear and tear creating fewer blemishes.
Wider boards are usually used for flooring because they better reflect the design and patterns of the wood. Although hickory wood is harder than many other kinds of wood, a major drawback is that it is very prone to swelling.
Hickory (1,820) is the hardest domestic wood species available. Its natural grain patterns do an excellent job hiding scratches and dents, so it's perfect for homes with kids and pets. Many manufacturers choose hickory specifically for their most durable flooring lines.
Maple is among the harder wood species, with a 1450 rating on the Janka wood hardness chart. As one of the densest wood species, Maple is ideal for high-traffic areas. Oak is slightly less hard – White Oak has a 1360 rating and Red Oak a 1290 rating.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is harder and more durable than most traditional hardwoods, with one particular type of bamboo (strand-woven) being twice as durable as hickory! It typically doesn't need to be sealed and only requires vacuuming and mopping to maintain its natural beauty.
Natural Wood Flooring
The allure of natural wood as the ultimate flooring choice is undeniable and has stood the test of centuries in both residential and commercial settings.
When over 30% of your hardwood floor has received damage, it is more cost-effective to replace the flooring rather than trying to refinish the hardwood. Common severe floor damage comes in the form of warping, chipping, stains, or termite infestation.
Zebra Wood
This is probably the most expensive hardwood floors in the world. It is an exotic wood with an appearance that resembles the striping of a zebra. The zebra wood was a favorite choice among the rich – it was used inside luxury cars such as Mercedes Benz, but also in Prada's flagship store in Manhattan.
The best hardwood floors are made with wood species that are readily available and — you guessed it — very hard. Oak flooring, maple flooring and cherry flooring are all good choices. Other species include bamboo (which is actually a grass), walnut, ash and mahogany.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring is one of the best waterproof and scratch-proof flooring options. It gives a natural hardwood look and offers great durability and resistance to water and scratches. Luxury Vinyl Plank is made up of multiple layers, including a tough top layer that protects against scratches and dents.
Installing engineered hardwood flooring in a 1000 square foot space typically ranges from $6,000 to $12,000. The average cost lands around $9,000. This includes both materials and labor, but factors like the type of wood and installation complexity can influence the final price.