Guide to Choosing a Hardwood Floor

There are two types of hardwood floors, and both are available in a variety of wood species, colors, styles and levels of durability. Here are some key differences between the two:

Hardwood flooring is a beautiful choice for most areas of the home, particularly living and dining rooms, family rooms, bedrooms, hallways and entryways. People love hardwood in kitchens, too, and it looks especially great in open floor plans where rooms flow together. (Just be sure to dry up any spills quickly!)

With one exception (our Hydropel waterproof hardwood flooring), we don’t recommend installing hardwood flooring collections in bathrooms or laundry rooms because of the potential for pooling water and humidity. And only engineered hardwood should be used for basement installations.

Even the toughest hardwood floors can be subject to scuffs and scratches if you’re not careful. If you have a high-traffic home with kids and/or pets you’ll want to look out for flooring styles with greater durability. These are some different factors that can affect how resistant to scratches, dents and water your flooring is.

• Wood species – Every type of hardwood has a hardwood hardness rating . The harder the wood, the better it can withstand dents and dings. Hickory, Oak and Maple are three of the hardest Bruce offers.
• Protective finish – Every hardwood flooring product has a protective finish, and we offer different levels of protection that can impact how well the floors resist scratches and stains. The highest level, Our Lifetime Finish, provides superior protection and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
• Gloss level and floor texture – Hardwood flooring products that have a matte finish and/or texture (such as distressed hand-scraped styles) are better at hiding everyday wear than smooth, high-gloss floors.
• Water resistance – Hardwood is not generally known for its water-resistant qualities, but some collections are more spill-friendly than others. Our Hydropel 36-hour water-resistant hardwood flooring is engineered to perform beautifully in rooms where hardwood is not usually an option.

Now for the fun stuff. Along with durability, the look of the floor is one of the main factors driving most purchasing decisions. Lucky for you, you’ll be able to find a hardwood floor that performs the way you want it to in just about any style. Here are some style characteristics that affect the overall look and feel of hardwood flooring.

Whatever you choose, we recommend trying a sample in your home first. Your lighting may be different from what you see in a store or online, and you want to be sure you pick a product that looks great in your home. Ask your retailer for a sample, or order one on our product pages.

• Color – A hardwood floor’s color comes from any stains and finishes that have been applied, as well as the natural hues of its wood species. Some wood species have greater natural variations in color on individual planks and from plank to plank, giving the wood unique character. Others have less variation for a more uniform look.
• Wood Species – The type of wood your hardwood flooring is made from can have a huge influence on the overall style. For example, Oak hardwood flooring has an eye-catching grain with a lot of variation, while Maple graining is fine and straight. Exotic species often have bold, statement-making grain patterns. Species also differ in how much natural character they convey. Some have more filled knots, filled splits and large mineral streaks, which can feel more casual than a floor with minimal character.
• Surface Treatment and Texture – Many collections offer textures, finishes and surface treatments that allow the floors to take on different looks. Weathered, rustic and reclaimed hardwood flooring styles can appear traditional or in line with modern trends, depending on how the rest of the room is styled.
• Width – Board or plank width plays an important role in helping you achieve your design vision. Narrow strips are less than 3″ and look more traditional, and they can make a smaller room look more spacious. Planks are 3″ or wider. Anything 5″ or wider is considered a wide-width plank. Wide-width planks continue to be a popular style choice for the sophistication and feeling of openness they create. There are even hardwood flooring collections that incorporate mixed-width boards, creating a vintage look that alternates between three board sizes.
• Edge Style – Collections vary in how the edges and ends of the boards are finished. These subtle differences can affect the overall look.