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American hardwood flooring species offer a wide range of beauty, durability, and versatility, making them a popular choice for homeowners.
Discover the characteristics and benefits of various American hardwood flooring species with JP Flooring, your go-to hardwood flooring store in West Chester, OH.
Discovering the Variety of American Hardwood Floor Options
American hardwood species are renowned for their natural beauty, strength, and longevity. They provide a timeless and elegant look to any space.
Popular American Hardwood Species:
American Oak (Red and White):
Known for its durability, versatility, and distinctive grain pattern, American oak is a classic choice for hardwood flooring due to its robust nature, making it suitable for high-traffic areas. Its prominent grain pattern, ranging from open and porous in red oak to tighter in white oak, adds character and warmth to any room, and allows it to blend with many design styles.
American Maple:
American maple offers a smooth, uniform grain and a light, contemporary look. Maple's fine, consistent grain and pale color create a clean and modern aesthetic, making it ideal for minimalist or contemporary designs. Its hardness and resistance to wear also make it a practical choice for active households, and its light color makes rooms feel larger.
American Hickory:
Renowned for its strength, hardness, and striking grain variations. Hickory stands out for its exceptional strength and durability, making it one of the hardest domestic hardwoods. Its dramatic grain variations, with contrasting light and dark tones, add a rustic and dynamic element to interiors, and can be used to make a bold design statement.
American Cherry:
Provides a rich, warm color and a smooth, fine grain. Cherry hardwood is prized for its warm, reddish-brown hues that deepen and enrich over time, adding a sense of timeless elegance to any space. Its smooth, fine grain and subtle variations create a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere, and it is a popular choice for formal dining rooms, and living rooms.
American Walnut:
Offers a dark, elegant color and a unique, sophisticated grain. Walnut's deep, dark color and distinctive grain patterns exude luxury and sophistication, making it a premium choice for high-end interiors. Its rich, dark tones and unique grain variations create a sense of depth and character, and are often used in formal settings.

Characteristics and Benefits of American Hardwood Species
- Oak:
- Characteristics: Strong, durable, and versatile with a prominent grain.
- Benefits: Resists wear and tear, available in various colors and styles.
- Maple:
- Characteristics: Smooth, fine grain with a light, uniform color.
- Benefits: Creates a clean, modern look and is easy to maintain.
- Hickory:
- Characteristics: Hard, strong, and durable with striking grain variations.
- Benefits: Offers excellent durability and a rustic, natural look.
- Cherry:
- Characteristics: Rich, warm color with a smooth, fine grain.
- Benefits: Adds elegance and warmth to any space.
- Walnut:
- Characteristics: Dark, rich color with a unique, sophisticated grain.
- Benefits: Provides a luxurious and timeless look.
Choosing the Right American Hardwood Species for Your Cincinnati Home
Select a Hardwood Species that Compliments Your Design
Select a species that complements your design style. Different hardwood species possess unique visual characteristics, from the warm, reddish tones of cherry to the light, airy hues of maple.
Choosing a species that aligns with your design style, whether modern, traditional, or rustic, ensures that your flooring enhances the overall aesthetic of your home, creating a cohesive and visually pleasing environment. The grain pattern, and color, will have a large impact on the overall look of the space.
Choose a Hardwood Species that Fits Your Family
Choose a species that can withstand the traffic in your home. Hardwood species vary in hardness and resistance to dents and scratches, making some more suitable for high-traffic areas than others.
For example, hickory or oak are known for their durability and are ideal for busy households, while softer species like pine might be better suited for low-traffic bedrooms. Matching the wood's hardness to the demands of your lifestyle ensures longevity and prevents premature wear.
Match the Color and Grain to Your Decor
Consider the color and grain patterns that match your decor. The color and grain of hardwood flooring significantly impact the room's ambiance. Darker woods create a warm, intimate feel, while lighter woods make a space appear brighter and more spacious.
Grain patterns, ranging from subtle to bold, add visual texture and character. Selecting a species with the right color and grain ensures that your flooring complements your furniture and decor, creating a harmonious and inviting space.
Determine Your Budget
Determine your budget and explore options within your price range. Hardwood flooring comes in a wide range of prices, depending on the species, grade, and finish. Exotic hardwoods or those with rare grain patterns tend to be more expensive than domestic species like oak or maple.
Establishing a budget early in the selection process allows you to focus on options that provide the desired aesthetic and durability without exceeding your financial constraints. There are many beautiful, and durable hardwood options, at a wide range of price points.
Shop Durable American Hardwood Flooring Options with JP Flooring
Exploring American hardwood flooring species allows you to find the perfect blend of beauty and durability for your home. JP Flooring offers expert advice and a wide selection of American hardwood flooring species to suit your needs.
We've serviced the greater Cincinnati area for 20+ years. Contact or visit us for high-quality hardwood flooring and more!