Experience The Bold Beauty of Natural Hickory Hardwood Flooring
A North American Powerhouse of Durability and Character
When searching for hardwood flooring that combines exceptional durability with breathtaking natural character, hickory hardwood flooring stands out from the crowd.
Sourced from native North American trees, hickory is one of the hardest woods available for residential flooring. It’s a choice that ensures longevity, but it’s the distinctive visual characteristics of natural hickory hardwood flooring that truly captures the attention of homeowners looking to make a statement.
The Power of Natural Variation in Natural Oak Wood Floors
What sets hickory apart from other popular hardwoods like oak or maple is its dramatic color and grain variation.
- Color Contrast: Natural hickory boasts a vibrant and often striking contrast between the tree’s heartwood (the older, central part of the tree, which is darker, ranging from light to deep brown) and the sapwood (the younger wood closer to the bark, which is creamy white or pale tan). When planks are milled to include both, the resulting floor is a kaleidoscope of light and dark tones. This “busy” visual is highly sought after for creating a truly unique and dynamic aesthetic.
- Grain Pattern: The grain is typically straight, but it features prominent, flowing patterns and often includes burls, knots, and mineral streaks. This rustic charm makes natural hickory ideal for farmhouses, mountain retreats, and homes aiming for a relaxed, authentic feel.
Unmatched Durability: The Janka Scale Tells the Tale
Hickory isn’t just beautiful; it’s incredibly tough. Hardness is measured using the Janka scale, which measures the force required to embed a steel ball halfway into the wood.
- Hickory’s Rating: Hickory consistently rates around 1820 on the Janka scale.
- The Comparison: To put this in perspective, Red Oak, the industry benchmark, rates at 1290. This significant difference means that hickory offers superior resistance to dents, dings, and heavy wear, making it an ideal choice for busy households with children, large pets, or high-traffic areas.
Design Considerations for Hickory Wood Flooring
While the natural variation of hickory is its greatest asset, it requires thoughtful integration into your home design:
- Embrace the Busy: Don’t try to fight the variation. Use the floor as the main focal point and keep other elements like wall color and large furniture relatively simple and neutral to avoid overwhelming the space.
- Staining Options: While “natural hickory hardwood flooring” showcases the full range of colors, hickory takes stains beautifully. Light stains can soften the overall contrast, while darker stains can create a richer, more traditional look, though some of the contrast between the heartwood and sapwood will usually remain visible.
- Board Width: Wider planks (5 inches and up) tend to showcase hickory’s dramatic grain patterns more effectively and can make the variation feel more expansive and less cluttered.
Is Hickory the Right Choice for Your Bay Area Home?
Hickory’s exceptional durability makes it a practical investment for any home, especially in active Northern California households. Its rustic yet refined look pairs well with many West Coast design trends, from contemporary rustic to classic craftsman styles.
Choosing a floor with such significant character requires seeing it in context. Instead of guessing how a small sample will look with your existing décor and lighting, take advantage of our ease of shop-at-home service. We’ll bring large samples of natural hickory hardwood right to your door in the Bay Area, allowing you to appreciate the full color and grain variation under your unique lighting conditions before you make this long-term investment.
Visit The Floor Store for Beautiful New Hickory Wood Flooring
Let our knowledgeable team help you incorporate the strength and beauty of hickory into your home.
Call or visit one of our 10+ convenient showrooms across the Bay Area and Northern California, including San Francisco, Albany, Richmond, Concord, Dublin, San Carlos, San Jose, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Sunnyvale, and Fairfield. We are committed to helping you find the perfect flooring and countertops.
Visit us today to begin your next project!