| In part one of this two-part series, we compared the | | | | the wood is fine indoors. The brownish, reddish |
| costs and styles of exotic hardwood floors. Now | | | | heartwood is sold as "Red Hickory" while the golden |
| we're going to move on to domestics. Domestic | | | | sapwood is sold as "White Hickory." Hickory can be |
| hardwood floors are any wood species grown and | | | | either straight grained or wavy in texture, which is |
| manufactured in the U.S. They're relatively cheaper | | | | why some varieties have lots of swirls and others |
| than exotics and give a home a traditional feel, while | | | | look just like maple. Engineered hickory ranges from |
| exotics tend to make a home look more modern. | | | | $4.00 to $5.00 per square foot. |
| Keep in mind that distressing and antiquing techniques | | | | 4) Ash Hardwood Floors - Not as popular of a |
| with amp up the price on these. | | | | flooring option compared to oak and maple, ash looks |
| 1) Oak Hardwood Floors - Oak is considered the | | | | nearly identical to oak with deep character markings. |
| most classically popular hardwood flooring option with | | | | There are approximately 45-65 species of ash |
| both white and red species. It's one of the least | | | | worldwide, with the most well known being White |
| expensive woods with engineered floors costing | | | | Ash or American Ash. It is grown in Northern climates |
| $3.04 to $4.30 per square foot depending on plank | | | | from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota. It's dense, |
| size. Its very rich, deep character markings work | | | | strong, and straight-grained. You can find Ash for as |
| best in a traditional setting, rather than a modern | | | | low as $3.35 for engineered woods. |
| home. | | | | 5) Birch - Most North American wood floors are |
| 2) Maple Hardwood Floors - In North America, it is | | | | made from Yellow Birch, which grows in Canada all |
| known as the Sugar Maple, which is where maple | | | | the way down the Eastern U.S. to Georgia. The |
| syrup comes from! The wood is just as smooth as | | | | smooth, yellow-bronze appearance of the wood is |
| the syrup with a fine grain appearance. For folks who | | | | enhanced by natural black marks and scars that |
| don't like the dramatic rings and markings of oak will | | | | almost look like animal fur up close. Engineered |
| prefer maple, which has tiny spores and minimal | | | | varieties cost around $4.41 but hand scraping and |
| markings. Maple is available in virtually ever color and | | | | distressing techniques, which are popular with this |
| can accommodate traditional homes with distressing | | | | wood, will cost a bit more. |
| techniques and modern decorating with high gloss | | | | Interested in learning more about hardwood floors, |
| finishes. Engineered woods cost $4.72 to $4.95. | | | | particularly domestic varieties? It's best to go to an |
| 3) Hickory Hardwoods - The strongest, hardest | | | | authorized hardwood floors retail specialist to discuss |
| wood in North America, hickory has about 15 species | | | | options for your home. A specialist can help you |
| in the U.S. alone, with some trees producing pecan | | | | determine which would specie and color will fit your |
| nuts. Not suitable for outdoors because of | | | | home best. |
| susceptibility to insects, but with proper treatment | | | | |