The wood's species is important because it can influence both appearance and durability. Not all species are equally hard. Wood, as a natural product, is subject to color changes with exposure to normal sunlight. Such changes are expected and are a desired element of the beauty and distinctiveness of wood floors. It is advantageous to move or rearrange area rugs, furniture, etc., periodically to avoid defined lines between the exposed and unexposed flooring.
Oak - species contain pronounced variations in grain and shade, adding to its character. Red Is the largest and most used species. Red oak offers a medium range of color variability from light tan tones with pink highlights to darker browns. (Color change: Pink to tan amber.) White Is one of the most loved and used wood species. It has some degree of color variability from light tan to medium brown colors. (Color change: Some muting of color variation to medium, straw brown.)
Maple - presents a cleaner more understated wood grain. It is a pale wood, offering the lightest coloration of any wood flooring. (Color change: Cream white to golden cream. Maple is an inherently smooth hardwood that will show scratches and dents more readily than oak.)
Pecan (Hickory) - provided Pecan and Hickory form an important group within the Eastern hardwood forests. Botanically they are split into two groups; the true hickories, and the pecan hickories (fruit bearing). The wood is virtually the same for both and is usually sold together. Hickory is the hardest, heaviest and strongest American wood. The sapwood of hickory is white, tinged with inconspicuous fine brown lines while the heartwood is pale to reddish brown. Both are coarse-textured and the grain is fine, usually straight but can be wavy or irregular.
American Cherry – Has a cream colored sapwood that contrast sharply with the reddish heartwood. In the heartwood the color ranges from pink red to dark red. (Color change: Pronounced change pink hues to deeper red tones. One of the hallmarks of cherry is the way that it continues to take on character with age. Its subtle graining pattern and natural color variation darken to a rich patina).
Ash – A wood renowned for its toughness and resilience. Ash varies greatly in color from a blond/cream color to a darker tan and brown, found closer to the heart of the tree. (Color change: Pale cream darkens to straw tan.)
Beech – Is a contemporary looking wood with an orange/tan color. Beech ranges in color from light cream to medium tan/brown with pink/orange overtones. (Color change: Pink/Tan tones to amber.)