Hardwood flooring is a great way to beautify your home, and increase its market value. When investing in hardwood flooring for your home, you want to be sure to get the exact look that best reflects your tastes and interior design style.

Two main options you need to consider when selecting a hardwood flooring is wood species and board width. Although there are many options, this article will help you make the right choice.

Wood Species
Different wood species provide different looks. Each wood species has its own beauty and distinctive character with variations in color and grain structure.

• Grain is a term used to describe direction of the natural fibers in wood, such as straight, spiral or curly, as well as fine or course grain patterns. Grain structure is determined by the way each type of tree tends to form annual growth rings. Walnut, red birch and cherry all have a tighter, even grain and provide a more uniform appearance. Consistent grain patterns easily adapt to both traditional and contemporary design styles. Grainy woods, like ash and oak offer a more casual than elegant design style. Hickory can be very dramatic with its very hard, tight grain, and usually some knots. A hickory floor works just as well in a country setting as in a modern one.


• Color is another important aspect when selecting a wood species. Darker colors are most often used in formal or traditional interiors, while lighter colors work best in country, casual and contemporary settings. Walnut and cherry are popular dark wood choices. Some woods, such as hickory, have interesting gradations of color from light to dark all in one board.

It should be noted, that even within a specific species, there will be many variations that will affect the final appearance of a given species.

• Wood is dynamic. Each board has unique details, making your wood flooring even more unique to your home.


• Sanding and finishing techniques can change the natural look of any species.


• Natural aging: As wood floors age, most species will develop a natural patina and change color. The majority of aging happens within 3-6 months, after which the aging process slows down, yet continues. Cherry is one species that has significant color changes as it ages. Starting fairly light in tone, it quickly ages to a medium to dark shade when exposed to sunlight. Be sure to allow for these natural changes in your room.


• Wood grade is based upon the intensity of variations of its characteristics. Rustic wood grades contain knots and the most color and character variation. Select wood grades have few knots and are more uniform in color and character.

Board (Plank) Width
Board width plays a significant role in setting the tone for the final design style of your room. Enterprise Wood products offers widths of 2" - 7". How do you know which one is right for you?

Using narrow boards is a good choice if you don’t want to commit to any one design style. Narrow board widths of 2” - 3" are found in many types of homes including traditional and transitional. Narrow boards are also found in contemporary settings, most often in species that are uniform in color and grain.

Wider boards can expand the look and size of a room, and are also used in all types of homes. Wide boards such as 5" and 7" are helpful in creating a rustic, antique or country look. Wider width planks are often used when applying a distressed finish technique.

Another option is to use a mix of different widths, creating a random pattern.

Summary
Although these factors can help you choose hardwood flooring that is associated with a particular home style, it’s important to remember that the same wood floor can often work in a variety of settings. Also, many wood species can be ordered in different grades, adding to its flexibility. Really, there are no set rules. The most important thing is that you be happy with your choice.

One of the greatest benefits of natural wood is that no two pieces look exactly alike. With hardwood flooring, your home will not end up with a "cookie cutter" look.