Rated 1010 on the Janka hardness scale, walnut isn’t as hard as oak, but it has something else going for it. It’s color. Why should that matter? These days, you can apply a walnut finish to almost any wood and end up with something that is about the same color. So what’s the big deal about walnut’s deep, chocolate brown hue.

There are two things. First of all, because the color of walnut is natural and not applied, each of the planks in your walnut floor will be subtly different. This will give your walnut floors a depth and richness you wouldn’t have with another species that was finished to look like walnut. It’s like the difference between dyed hair and natural hair.

Black Walnut

The other advantage to walnut flooring is that because the color is natural, it goes all the way through. So scratches, dents, and other mars hardly show. When finished with a satin finish, walnut floors continue to look good after years or normal wear and tear. If your floors are damaged, you probably won’t need to refinish them because what’s under the surface looks the same as the surface.

Walnut has quite a bit of color variation. The sapwood is a grayish white, while the heartwood is a warm, rich brown. Some older growth even appears purple streaks that are almost black. You should look for wood that is uniformly dark and has a straight, open grain.

Sometimes, stumps are cut into veneer that has a burled grain, which is unsuitable for flooring. Some trees that grow in poor soil twist as they grow, resulting in a curly grain that can add some visual interest to your floors. Walnut flooring will darken with age and develop a lustrous patina.

It’s available as solid wood and engineered wood flooring. And because it’s very stable, it’s good to use over radiant heating systems.

If you’re looking for something unusual and dramatic for your home, American black walnut has a lot to offer.

Read about other types of domestic hardwoods here.

Black Walnut Image Flickr: heyerin

But if you want something out of the ordinary, and you’re willing to pay for it, exotic hardwoods from Brazil, Asia, Africa, or Australia can create a dramatic, distinctive room that’s one of a kind.

Jatoba.  Also known as Brazilian cherry, Jatoba is one of the most popular exotic hardwoods.  It comes from Mexico, Central America, and other South American countries, as well as Brazil.  The reddish brown color eventually develops a rich, golden luster.  And the dense, interlocking grain makes it very stable.  Almost twice as hard as red oak, Jatoba is one of the most scratch-resistant hardwoods.

Mahogany.  Grown from Mexico to Argentina, mahogany features a fine, even texture, a dark, reddish-brown color, and an interlocking grain.  Santos mahogany is extremely hard, and it creates a sophisticated, rich looking floor.

Teak.  This Indonesian hardwood has a beautiful golden hue that’s rich and warm.  It’s not as hard as other species, but it is very resistant to termites, fungus, and decay.  The wavy grain is fairly coarse and the texture is rough.  Since much of the old-growth teak has already been harvested, teak is more expensive than it used to be.

Tigerwood.  Grown mostly in South America, tigerwood features a distinctive, wavy grain that resembles the stripes of a tiger.  The reddish-orange color makes a real statement.  And tigerwood is extremely hard.  It’s also very resistant to beetles and other pests.

Merbau.  Native to the Philippines and Indonesia, Merbau darkens to a beautiful, rich brown. The grain can be straight, wavy, or interlocked.  Yellow flecks in the pores make Merbau look like it’s been dusted with gold.  It’s very stable, and resistant to termites and other pests.

Wenge.  This African wood has become more popular in the last few years.  Aged wenge is nearly black, and it can be used to very dramatic effect.  Extremely hard, it’s ideal for high traffic areas, but it does show dust, lint, and blonde pet hair.

Sapele.  Lustrous and finely textured, Sapele has an interlocking, wavy grain.  Most of it comes from Africa, and it wears well once installed.  But loose boards can warp if not stored correctly.

Zebrawood.  If you want a truly unique wood floor, zebrawood has dramatic stripes that are enhanced by quarter sawing.  Color ranges from straw to brown with stripes that are nearly black.  Zebrawood is hard, lustrous, and termite resistant.

Wood flooring is easy to care for, and it holds its value over the years.  In fact, real estate agents say that homes with wood floors sell faster and sell for more.

It’s made from a renewable resource — in fact, some wood flooring is recycled from old ships and barns.  And it’s better for people with allergies than carpeting.

There are hundreds of kinds of wood available.   Most come in three grades:

1) Clear or First Grade.  This wood has no visible defects, such as knots, and no variations in color.

2) Select or Second Grade.  May have a few imperfections like some dark grains or knots, and some other minor variations.

3) Rustic or Third Grade.  Inconsistent.  Variations in color and grain, and lots of knots and other imperfections.

The most popular domestic hardwoods.

It may surprise you to know that the term hardwood doesn’t really have anything to do with the hardness of the wood.  In fact, one of the softest woods around, balsa, is a hardwood.  And yew, which is pretty hard, is actually a softwood.

Softwood comes from coniferous trees (those that bear cones).  And hardwood comes from broad-leafed, angiosperm trees.

Domestic hardwoods used for wood flooring are:

Red Oak.  With its strong open grain, neutral color, and solid durability, red oak is a great choice for many different environments.  The color blends well with lighter and darker woods — it looks great with mahogany furniture.  And it works well in casual or sophisticated settings.  More than 50% of all hardwood floors are red oak.

White Oak.  The tighter, less pronounced grain of white oak is extremely straight.  And it’s lovely enough for formal rooms.  The lighter color fades a little less than red oak, and it creates a light, airy room.

Maple.  Harder than oak, maple is extremely scratch and dent resistant.   That’s why it’s the first pick for bowling alleys, basketball courts, and Fender guitar necks.  The tight, even grain is lovely.  And First Grade Maple, which comes only from sapwood, has a beautiful, pale color.  It will make any room seem larger.

Black Walnut. If you want a dark floor with a lovely, curly grain, walnut is a good option.  It’s not as hard as oak, so it will scratch more easily.  Consequently, it isn’t a great choice if you have a dog over 50 pounds.  But it can help to create a very dramatic room.  Speaking of dogs, if your blonde dog sheds, the hair will be visible on Black Walnut.

Ash.  Similar in appearance to oak, ash is attractive and durable.  So much so that it’s the first choice for Louisville Sluggers.  The color ranges from white to brown.  And the bold grain is sometimes wavy.

Beech.  Very close to oak in hardness, beech has a straight, closed grain and a smooth finish.  The sapwood is very pale and the heartwood is a reddish brown.

American Cherry.  One of the most beautiful domestic hardwoods, American Cherry takes on a rich glow when finished properly.  The color, which ranges from pale to a warm, reddish brown, creates a rich, sophisticated look that says quality.

Any of these woods will give you beautiful wood floors that will enhance the appearance and value of your home, and last for generations.

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