Oak is by far the most common type of wood used for wood floors in the US, especially Red Oak. It grows abundantly in the US. Thus Oak is an affordable hardwood. There are several reasons why Oak flooring is ideal.
Brown Hardwood Flooring
Best known as the traditional color of hardwood flooring, shades of brown are still as popular as ever. Much like tan-toned hardwood, brown flooring is suited for any aesthetic. Lighter tones can set the basis of a neutral design, while deeper tones have the power to convey depth and luxury.
Classic medium-toned browns such as cherrywood, mahogany, oak, maple, walnut, birch wood, and hickory are all timeless colors that never go out of style.
Add Character with Traditional Hardwood Floors
Popular traditional hardwood floors include Oak, Maple, Hickory, and Birch. Each species comes in a variety of styles, and like all natural wood flooring, requires occasional maintenance to keep them looking their best.
A: The most common kinds of wood flooring in old houses can be divided into two general categories: wide-plank floors (boards typically 8″ and wider) often seen in early buildings, rural areas, or secondary spaces like bedrooms and kitchens; and strip floors (narrow boards typically 2″ to 4″ wide), at first reserved ...
Oak floors continue their dominance.
Oak, bamboo, and maple continue to be the most popular hardwood options, with walnut and its striking grain making an occasional appearance.
Wide Plank Floors
One floor that's had an enduring popularity and a recent resurgence is the wide plank floor. Wider planks are less busy than other wood floors, with fewer pieces going into the construction. This lets you see more of the grain and variation across each individual piece of wood.
Selecting a floor such as Hickory, Hard Maple or White Oak can protect your floor from damage, as these hardwoods are less susceptible to scratches than softer woods like Pine, Cherry or Black Walnut. Hardwoods with more dramatic grain patterns can help to hide scratches more easily.
STAIN COLOUR: While it might not be TRENDY (right now), a medium-toned wood stain (oak in particular) is the most timeless look. It's the OVERLY LIGHT, OVERLY DARK, GRAY-WASHED and STRONGLY STAINED woods you want to be careful with.
Dark hardwood floors are a classic and timeless flooring option and are a great choice for those who want something that won't become outdated. They are known for their beautiful and rich hue, which adds warmth and character to any space.
50 Floor researched the most popular flooring trends of the year, and we found that homeowners are choosing dark wood, light wood and grey wood flooring color options. Many flooring options, such as luxury vinyl and hardwood, give a classic and traditional look that is functional and aesthetically pleasing.
This seems to be continuing into 2023, but now we're seeing more of a broad interest in “smokey-toned” floors, which includes a lot of grays and browns (or a combination of the two). The result is more of a rustic look but with the warm undertones of the wood. Many wood species can have this smokey coloring.
Hardwood floors also can be laid out in different patterns such as thin strips, wider planks and even formal parquet style squares. Oak, maple and cherry are some of the most popular hardwoods on the market today as they are prized for their looks, grain patterns and durability.
If you're looking for cool shades for your hardwood floors in 2023, look no further! Light tans, and browns with hints of grey or white will be popular as well as whitewashed finishes. Meanwhile, yellow-toned shades are moving out of favor.
'Earthy and natural tones are big for 2023 and golden metallic hues are the perfect match for neutral wall shades,' adds Craig. 'Luxury carpets with a subtle shimmer are a great way to embrace this trend, while adding a much needed dash of luxury and added warmth to your finished look.
What is the most timeless wood floor (or wood-look option)? If you've been following my work, you'll know that I often say that pale natural (oak or maple) or medium neutral brown (like oak or hickory) are the most timeless colour options for wood or wood-look floors.
You might think “gym floor” or the strip oak floors that graced so many homes over the last 30 years. Floors with a white finish go with almost everything. A light burlap-like color is a great choice because you still get a light floor, without installing a truly “white” floor.
Contrast is one of the core rules of any style or decor, so the easiest way to match furniture and floors is to go with dark furniture on light floors or light furniture on dark floors.
Lighter colors help brighten up a room, making it feel bigger. The amount of natural light in the room: If you love natural light, and your home gets plenty of it, you may want to opt for a darker wood floor as it tends to fade less quickly than lighter flooring options.
What Species Is Best? 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.
Hardwood floors were the norm in most homes before WWII. The design of the home didn't matter—Victorian, Colonial, Cape Cod, Tudor, Craftsman, and even early Ranches—they all featured wood floors throughout. Then starting in the 1950s, homeowners started to favor wall-to-wall carpet instead.
While there are many factors that influence a home's value, hardwood flooring can certainly increase its worth. Not only does it add a warm and inviting aesthetic to any living space, but it also makes a home easier to sell and can even add resale value when the time comes.