- White oak is the all-rounder and today's favourite.
- Hickory is very hard and hides wear, but it's busy-looking.
- Maple is hard and smooth, but it stains blotchy.
- Walnut is gorgeous but soft. Skip it with big dogs.
- The finish and the colour matter as much as the species for hiding scratches.
| Species | Hardness (relative) | Look | Stains well? | Good with pets? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White oak | Hard | Straight to wavy grain, neutral to warm | Yes, very | Good (matte or wire-brushed) |
| Red oak | Hard | Open grain, pinkish undertone | Yes | Good |
| Hickory | Very hard | High contrast, lots of variation | OK | Very good |
| Hard maple | Very hard | Smooth, pale, subtle grain | Blotchy, best natural | Good, but shows scratches on gloss |
| Ash | Hard | Bold grain, light | Yes | Good |
| Birch | Medium | Light, soft figure | Can blotch | Fair |
| Walnut | Soft | Rich chocolate brown | Usually natural | Poor (dents) |
| Acacia | Very hard | Dramatic colour variation | Usually natural | Good |
How to choose
- Want to restain later? Oak.
- Big dogs, real wood anyway? Hickory or oak, matte and wire-brushed.
- Clean, calm, Scandinavian look? Maple or rift-and-quartered white oak.
- Luxury, low traffic? Walnut.
Hardness only tells you so much. Every wood dents if you drop a cast-iron pan. A textured, matte finish in a mid-tone hides more than switching species does.
Common questions
What is the most durable hardwood flooring?
Among common species, hickory and hard maple are among the hardest, followed by white and red oak. A matte or wire-brushed finish in a mid-tone hides wear better than any species change.
Is white oak or red oak better?
Both are hard and durable. White oak has a more neutral or warm tone that suits today's natural looks. Red oak has a pinkish undertone and more open grain. White oak is the more popular choice right now.
Is walnut flooring good for dogs?
Walnut is relatively soft and dents and scratches more easily, so it's not the best choice with large dogs.
Who's writing this: Rose and Thorn Flooring is a flooring company in Surrey, BC. We install floors for a living, so yes, we'd love to do yours. But nobody pays us to say nice things about a product, and we don't earn commission from any brand. If something here is wrong or out of date, text us at 604-716-4160 and we'll fix it.