American Cherry
Hardness: 4.2 Stability: Good
Probably one of the most beautiful wood there is, American Cherry has a grain pattern that is almost three-dimensional and is really quite stunning. Don’t forget the color – ranging from a pinkish-brown through to a deep red – cherry is truly a wood of outstanding warmth and beauty. Though it is one of the more stable hardwoods, cherry is isn’t the hardest, so be warned. It takes a stain well and finishes extremely well. Alas! Without knots there is a hefty price tag
Cottage Cherry
Hardness: 4.2 Stability: Good
Picked for color and the beauty of growing marks and knots, Cottage Cherry is a gorgeous floor made in bevel edged planks in 4 – 8 inch widths. The rich red-brown, fine textured wood resembles the look of floors from 18th century rural France
Eastern White Pine
Hardness: 1.0 Stability: Average
Not a very hard wood, but a wood that makes a very attractive floor. Knotty pine, as it is commonly known, is cool in the summer, yet your feet will enjoy how warm it feels on a cold winter’s morning. Available in nice wide widths, it makes you think of those distressed antique floors of the early part of the century. New England pine stains very well so whether you want it light and bright or with a darker, or a pumpkin hue this wood is a great choice at a truly amazing price.
Honduras Mahogany
Hardness: 4.0 Stability: Very Good
It’s durable, very stable, stains well and finishes like a dream. But most of all its just plain beautiful. There really is nothing like the color of true Mahogany. Generally a reddish light brown with a hint of yellow, it gives a very rich look to any home. As Mahogany is an imported wood and very much in demand, it is one of the more expensive choices for a hardwood floor. Again, not particularly hard it may show wear more than most.
Naturals & Country Cuts
Hardness: Various Stability: Various
Naturals, like rustics, are a character grade containing the same kind of blemishes. The only difference is these cuts will just have less of these natural growing marks. Natural Ash for example has no knots like Rustic Ash, but will contain a higher degree of color variation than White Ash. For many people this grade is more attractive than a clear grade, but of course the price is generally that much less. For specific information on these grades please check with a sales person.
Quarter Sawn
Hardness: Various Stability: Very Good
Many woods are available Quarter Sawn, like Oak, Ash, Cherry and more. The logs are cut in a totally different way, parallel to the rays radiating like the spokes of a wheel from the center of the tree. The grain pattern achieved is very attractive and when used to make flooring it can all but remove the problem of board shrinkage and expansion. The only draw back is that this method is much more wasteful, therefore more expensive.
Rustics
Hardness: Various Stability: Various
The Rustic versions of these woods simply contain knots, open knots, checks, cracks, and natural growing marks. All other characteristics are identical. For some this is exactly what they are looking for, the so-called blemishes are as nature intended and only serve to enhance the style of the floor. The prices are also very attractive. Rustics can produce a floor of unique quality and unrivaled character, and for some the rougher the better.
Sassafras
Hardness: 4.0 Stability: Very Good
Another well kept secret, but maybe not for long! Sassafras is sometimes called ‘poor mans Chestnut’ and is a particularly stable wood, although not the as hard as some hardwoods. It is ideal for areas close to the shore, lakes and rivers where humidity can be a problem. It has a grain pattern close to that of oak with a very pleasing chestnut brown to wheat brown color. A rich character-filled floor.
Southern Yellow Pine
Hardness: 2.9 Stability: Average
Southern Yellow Pine is harder & more durable than white pine, as its name suggests Southern Yellow has a more yellow color and is available with or without knots. With its distinctive straight grain and pale light giving color it gives a fresh open feel to any room. Easy to stain, it can again be made to look like a mature floor in no time and yet is still relatively inexpensive.
