You have probably already weighed the pros and cons of hardwood flooring and would love to have stunning hardwood floors in your Mississauga home. But not just any type of hardwood flooring will do; you are looking for a style that will last.
As one of the best hardwood flooring retailers in Mississauga, The Reno Superstore often gets asked what customers should look for when buying hardwood flooring. The one-word answer: durability.
Like marriage, floors are a long-term commitment and a big investment. So, it only makes sense to select durable wood flooring.
In this post, we discuss the most durable hardwood flooring in Mississauga.
Most Durable Hardwood Flooring to Install in Mississauga
No matter what type of wood flooring you install, its strength and durability are determined by two factors:
- The species of wood (i.e., the type of tree it comes from)
- Its finish (i.e., the stain and topcoat).
We will discuss these factors at length below.
Using the Janka Scale
With so many hardwood species available, choosing the right one can seem overwhelming. So, how do you decide which is best, or at least the hardest?
Luckily, there is a scientific method. The Janka hardness scale is industry standard when it comes to determining the hardness of a particular wood species. Its ranking indicates how well a particular wood will stand up to surface-level wear and tear. Exotic woods tend to score higher on the Janka scale which increases their cost.
At The Reno Superstore, you will find a wide range of natural and engineered hardwood flooring. Always make sure to buy from the best hardwood flooring retailers in Mississauga to avoid installing subpar products.
Now that you know about the Janka hardness scale, let’s look at the most durable wood flooring species.
Ask Your Flooring Retailer in Mississauga about Durable Hardwood Flooring
The Reno Superstore sells durable hardwood flooring at reasonable pricing. Let’s explore some of the most popular hardwood species.
1. Oak: An Industry Staple
Oak is a popular and common flooring choice for homeowners across Canada and the US. The main reason for it being one of the most common wood species in the U. S. and Canada. Therefore, it’s readily available and quite affordable. White oak rates 1360 on the Janka scale while red oak is 1290, meaning it is moderately hard. Remember that how you care for your floors also helps determines its longevity.
2. Hickory: Hardest Domestic Species
Hickory takes various colours when it comes to staining and its grain has a lot of character, leading to rich-looking floors. It is rated 1820 on the Janka Scale, making it one of the hardest domestically-grown species of wood. When it comes to strength and durability, hickory floors are certainly a big contender. They are also quite beautiful.
3. Maple: A Modern Staple
The maple is Canada’s national symbol and a domestic species that grows widely here. This is why maple flooring is both readily available and affordable at many of the best hardwood flooring retailers in Mississauga, including The Reno Superstore.
Maple ranks 1450 on the Janka scale. It is extremely durable and widely used in basketball courts for its shock absorbency. It is also a great option for gymnasiums, bowling alleys and other high-traffic public spaces.
Maple’s creamy colours and light grains make it much-loved for contemporary floors in modern homes and businesses. Like all wood flooring, maple is easy to clean and maintain.
4. Ash: Flexible yet Hard
Rated 1320 on the Janka scale, ash is known for its beautiful, varied grains which results in stunning and light modern floors. Ash flooring is also flexible, making it ideal for years of daily wear and tear.
Over time, ash flooring may develop a straw or hay-like colour. That does not mean its durability is compromised. Unfortunately, ash trees are currently threatened by the emerald ash border beetle, which causes blight. This has affected their availability and increased their price, which makes them a less than environmentally-friendly choice.
5. Birch: Stunning and Durable
There are two types of birch used for flooring: yellow and red birch. Both have a Janka rating of 1290 and are classified as moderately hard.
Birch is an affordable choice for floors and ideal for low-to-moderate foot traffic. Since this wood has very little graining, it has a more uniform and cohesive look. It is durable and feels slightly softer underfoot. This makes it ideal if you want the room to have an airy feel.
6. Ebony: Extremely Rare and Hard
This is by far the most sought-after wood species. Its Janka rating is 3220, making it extremely durable. Also, this is the only jet-black wood; hence the name.
Because of its resilience and unique properties, this wood has become threatened and is hard to come by.
7. Brazilian Cherry: Quite Durable and Traditional
You have probably come across red or salmon-coloured Brazilian cherry wood floors in traditionally-styled homes. This flooring is very strong and durable, with a Janka rating of 2350.
Solid Brazilian cherry wood – like all wood flooring – requires professional installation to avoid future issues.
Hardwood floors are classic, with many Mississauga and Toronto individuals looking for real hardwood flooring when hunting for prospective houses or condos. But it is a significant investment. If you are looking for more budget-friendly flooring options, engineered hardwood and vinyl are great alternatives. We at the Reno Superstore highly recommend always doing your research before installing any type of flooring. Need some one-on-one advice? Get in touch with our flooring experts.