Are you planning to redo your flooring soon? Are you unsure about which type of wood species to choose for the best quality result? Be aware that choosing the ideal wood species for a flooring with a noble and refined design is not an easy task. Indeed, if you don’t approach it correctly, it can quickly become a real headache. Especially since there are over 200 varieties of wood species on the market. To be sure you’re choosing the best model for your parquet flooring, discover in this article the wood species most in demand in the world of construction or renovation.
Tips for choosing the right wood species for parquet flooring
To begin, let’s focus on the decisive factors for choosing the right wood species to use for parquet flooring. Note that to avoid mistakes, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions about the flooring that will accompany you for years to come. To do this, you need to answer the question: what decorative effect? Light or dark, more or less visible grain, etc. What traffic? Do you want a low, medium, or high traffic parquet… Also, you need to define the appropriate budget to carry out your project. Classic indigenous species such as oak, chestnut, and others generally remain cheaper than exotic species such as iroko, wenge, etc. Just note that light-colored species tend to darken over time while dark species become lighter. The choice of wood species is also a matter of personal preferences and means. In addition to the appearance of the wood, its color, and its general aspect, hardness is an equally essential factor to consider when choosing your future parquet. Learn more about how much weight a wooden floor can support. Each wood species is indeed evaluated based on its hardness and durability on the Janka scale for installation following current standards. And this, whether you live alone, as a couple, with many children, or otherwise.
Indigenous wood species
These are wood species from all managed forests in France and Europe. Also known as classic species, indigenous wood species are still the most sought after, although they are quickly being overtaken by exotic species. The type of parquet made from chestnut, beech, or oak wood species are the quintessential models that suit any type of place and at the same time any type of construction. Acacia is a hard wood, both elastic and compact, which adapts perfectly to all types of wooden floors. On the other hand, in this same category, you also have types of softwood such as larch and maritime pine. These are typically regional species that are rarely used, but which fully deserve their place on an aesthetic, durable, and practical floor.
Exotic wood species
It is clear that even the best flooring from Europe or North America will react to the presence of moisture. When a relatively high level of humidity occurs, the wooden planks will absorb the excess, and the boards may slightly warp. The fact is that when moisture leaves the wood, the floor contracts, which can leave unsightly gaps between each plank. If you live in a particularly humid environment or if you simply want to install hardwood flooring in your bathroom, exotic wood species are the option to choose to beautify your floor. The latter notably offers high resistance against humidity in addition to being used in the design of deck boards due to its resistance to weathering and climate changes. Highly resistant, with oily grains and no knots, exotic wood species are also appreciated for their unmatched aesthetic appeal. Not to mention that they are available in several color ranges including yellow, red, or brown. In short, this type of wood species is particularly recommended if you wish to install high-quality, durable, and resistant flooring in your home.
