When it comes to choosing hardwood flooring for your home, species is the foremost factor to be considered. You can find hundreds of different hardwood species with varied characteristics. Price also varies depending upon the rarity, hardness, and popularity of the species. If you are looking for a hard but affordable option, a domestic, or native, species is the right choice. One such domestic species is hickory hardwood.
This post outlines the advantages of choosing hickory hardwood flooring.
The Advantages of Hickory Flooring:
- Durable
Hickory has a Janka hardness rating of 1820 which means it is one of the hardest woods available and, as a result, is very durable. It does not dent or scratch easily and can be used in high-traffic zones like your living room and even the kitchen. The wood is very dense, making it resistant to any kind of wear and tear. It is also noted for performing well in high-moisture environments compared to other hardwood species.
- Unique grain
The graining of the hickory is unique, and has a highly contrasting colour combination with a rich brown heartwood and off-white and tan sapwood. The texture makes it an ideal choice among homeowners looking for rustic hardwood flooring. The mineral streaks also impart a sophisticated and antique look which can make your home stand out.
- Affordable
This is a domestic hardwood species which is available in abundance, making it comparatively more affordable than other species of the same hardness. This is because most of the really hard wood used for flooring and comparable to hickory in terms of hardness is exotic and hence way more expensive. However, its installation must be professionally done as the hardness of this wood makes it difficult to cut, which can incur a significant installation charge.
- Easy to stain
Hickory is one of the easiest to stain among the various hardwood species. Homeowners who love its hardness and durability but are not very fond of its dense graining can easily stain it to impart a significant amount of uniformity to it. However, it can be tricky to custom-stain these woods as they must be water popped first so that the stain is fully absorbed. A professional trained for this work can create the right mix and do justice to the material by maximizing its beauty.
- Eco-friendly
Hickory is harvested and manufactured domestically in various sustainably-farmed plantations, making it a comparatively greener option in which to invest. When you are buying this hardwood species, check for the FSC certification of the brand.
- Versatile
The wood’s texture is versatile enough to be used as flooring for a rustic style home as well as for a modern household. This is because hickory is available in a wide variety of stains and colours which can be used in different interior settings.
- Maintenance
Like every other hardwood species, hickory hardwood is very easy to maintain after it is finished and sealed. Regular vacuuming and occasional mopping are all you need to upkeep this flooring material. Since the graining is so varied, it gives these floors a rustic look that can camouflage dust and dirt. This means you do not have to clean them every time a speck of dirt appears, unlike other more uniformly grained wood.
Do not agree to cheap replicas, if real hardwood is what you want for your home. Out of all the hardwood species, hickory the ideal and cost-effective option when you want to make a long-term investment.
