When talking about hardwood flooring there are a lot of different factors that are brought up but for simplicity sake we are only going to discuss the top 5 species in Denver. The top 5 wood species in Denver hit a few different marks including the aesthetic and natural beauty and the ability to acclimate to Denver’s climate. 

Colorado is known for beautiful weather and mountains. The sun shines on average 300 days a year in Colorado. Humidity stays at about 33% on average which makes the climate pretty dry. The dry air and changes in season can impact wood flooring and are something you will want to consider when choosing a flooring type. While the humidity stays relatively stable the relative humidity changes with temperature. Homeowners find that most domestic woods are stable enough for the Denver homes but some work better than others. 

Red oak is the most common hardwood option in the Us and has been a top contender for centuries. Red oak is incredibly versatile and works great in most applications. Red oak is also an ideal option if you are looking to stain because it takes stains well and provides a uniform color. Red oak is beautiful without stain and has an even tone with some color variation from reddish to blonde wood. Red oak comes in a variety of different grades with #1 common being the most widely used. Rift and quartered is also an option in red oak and gives the floor a beautiful grain pattern. 

White oak has grown significantly in popularity over the last few years and now rivals its red counterpart is the most popular wood species. White oak and red oak can be hard for some people to tell apart but white oak features more tan or borek coloring than red oak. Some floors are actually a combination of the two woods and homeowners really like this look. White oak stains beautifully and many prefinished products are white oak because the stains are so uniform. White oak does have some advantages over white oak including a higher janka scale rating. White oak comes in both plain sawn and rift & quarter sawn options. The beautiful tans and browns of white oak are great for leaving natural but also work well with nearly any stain options.  

 American walnut is one of the top domestics because of the prestige and beauty associated with it. American walnut has a unique natural color and very smooth appearance that homeowners love. Walnut heartwood is a deep chocolate brown with red undertones and the sapwood is nearly white. Many floors are a steamed walnut that gives the flooring a consistent color. Walnut can be stained but most homeowners buy it for its natural beauty. American walnut comes in lots of grades, like red and white oak, depending on the look you are going for some grades may be better than others for your home. Character grade features sap wood and large knots and is much more rustic than a select grade. American walnut may be remarkably beautiful but it is very soft and prone to scratches and dents. 

Hickory is a great choice for your Denver home because it is the strongest and most durable domestic wood. Hickory has a unique character that you cannot find in other species and the natural beauty is sought after. Homes with children and animals love the natural durability of this product. Many homeowners choose hickory for the rustic look, the combination of sapwood and heartwood give hickory a beautiful range in color with beautiful grain patterns. The grading of hickory really changes the look, 2nd and better combines a picture of sapwood and heartwood which really captures the beauty of hickory character grade hickory is Laos popular because it brings in a lot of hickory’s natural beauty in hot th the sapwood and heartwood and this grading allows for mineral streak and knot. Hickory can be stained and the higher grades are more ideal for staining because the color is more uniform. 

Finally, Brazilian cherry is popular in Denver and the only exotic on our list. Brazilian cherry is significantly more durable than American cherry and is great for high traffic spaces and can protect against denting and scratching. Brazilian cherry has a rich warm color that mini homeowners are looking for. It has a rich red tone unlike American cherry which is a deeper brown. The color of Brazilian cherry will change over time because it is photosensitive. Brazilian cherry is still affordable even though it is exotic which is part of its appeal for many homeowners. It is not recommended to stain Brazilian cherry but instead to enjoy its natural beauty.

 Instability of wood flooring is something you need to consider when choosing a species. Next you will want to consider durability and application and finally the aesthetics of the floor. When choosing wood flooring you’re not just choosing based on the look like you were the tile product but you are basing your choice on how the wood will perform in your home. The change in relative humidity in Denver or something to consider when choosing a flooring product.