AllExperts > Flooring and Carpeting 
Search      
Flooring and Carpeting
Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Flooring and Carpeting Questions · Answer Library  · Encyclopedia ·
More Flooring and Carpeting Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Flooring and Carpeting
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
 
About Dave Coil
Expertise
I can help. I have installed wood, laminates, tile, marble, ceramics, vinyl, and painted applications. I have done some stone work, but that is seldom used anymore.

Experience
My first work was in flooring and interior designs.   My first job... every room of the house was a different color of walls and carpet.   It can work...

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Style > Interior Decorating > Flooring and Carpeting > Wood Hardness

Flooring and Carpeting - Wood Hardness


Expert: Dave Coil - 3/28/2004

Question
Dave,

Can you tell me if there is noticable difference in hard maple and yellow birch for wood flooring?  These are the two woods that my wife and I have selected for our wood floors, but I see yellow birch has a lower hardness rating.  Also, do you know if cherry is a softer wood?  Black cherry has a softer rating, but I don't see anything for just cherry.

I know all hard wood floors will dent and show sratches.  I just didn't want to buy a flooring where I have to take my shoes off when I enter the room because the floors will be dented.

Thanks!

Answer
There are some general misconceptions.  Hardwoods refer mostly to the idea that it is a traffic typical wood.  Unlike fir, cypress, poplar, spruce etc.  Pine is a hardwood.  Mahogany has soft and hard species.  Maple is one of the hardest along with hickory.  The surface/finish applied is the key.  Polyurethanes are too soft for a flooring surface...but they sell it alot.   Lacquer is harder and shellac is harder still.  The ease of application makes the poly more desireable.  Maple is a bit whiter than the birch, if color matters.  The best method is a raw wood installation and a "site" finish.  The right crew can make the difference.

Add to this Answer   Ask a Question


 
User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2008 About, Inc. AllExperts, AllExperts.com, and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. All rights reserved.