Guide to wood species

Every tree species is unique. Each has its own unique grain, color, and properties. Here are some tips to help you determine which one best suits your aesthetic and practical needs, based on your lifestyle!

Determine whether you prefer species with more variation or more uniform ones.

Whether for solid hardwood or engineered wood flooring , wood species are distinguished first by their grain, that is, the visible contrast of the growth rings. Species such as red oak, white oak, ash and hickory have a pronounced wood grain, giving them character. Maple and cherry are more discreet and display a tighter wood grain with little contrast.

Determine which room you will install the wood in

For a project involving high-traffic areas, you might want to consider wood with a visible, textured grain—such as red oak, white oak, or ash—which has a rich, contrasting appearance that can mask the potential impacts of everyday life. Also, be aware that hardwood species are more resistant to repeated impacts from objects falling on the floor. Among hardwood species, hickory, oak, and maple are the most popular.

Red Oak:

Red oak has a distinctive, textured grain and prominent growth rings. Its color ranges from slightly pinkish beige to reddish brown. Red oak exhibits moderate color change over time, becoming a light amber.

White Oak:

White oak has a grain similar to that of red oak. Its growth rings are also very visible. Its color ranges from pale creamy beige to grayish brown. White oak exhibits moderate color change over time, taking on a light amber tone.

White Ash:

Like oak, white ash has clearly visible growth rings, although they are less pronounced. Its color, characterized by a rich tone, ranges from creamy white with golden highlights to dark brown. Ash exhibits a moderate color change over time, adopting an amber color.

Maple:

Maple is a fine-grained, even-textured wood. Its growth rings are thin and poorly contrasted. Its color ranges from the almost white beige of the sapwood to a deep brown, making it the lightest of the hardwoods. Maple exhibits moderate color change over time, displaying a golden hue.

Cherry:

Cherry is a straight-grained, even-textured wood. Its amber color ranges from creamy beige to reddish brown. Cherry exhibits a moderate color change to a light amber hue.

Hickory:

Hickory is a textured wood with visible growth rings. Its color, characterized by a wide range of tones, ranges from golden beige to deep brown. This species also contains knots that accentuate its natural character.

American Walnut:

American walnut is a contrasting wood with rich and varied tones. Its color ranges from almost white beige in the sapwood to light to chocolate brown in the heartwood. Walnut exhibits moderate color change over time, displaying a uniform lighter, golden brown.