Choosing the perfect hardwood flooring for your home is a process. You must make sure that your choice will look good and work for your family’s needs.
There are many hardwood flooring options, from ash to hickory to walnut. You may already have one type of wood that stands out in your mind.
Walnut is growing in popularity, with more people choosing it over other woods because of its unique look. This dark wood with bold grain patterns is a classic choice. It is something seen in many homes, especially older ones, and has a character that draws people to it.
However, as with any wood, it is important to learn more details about the wood instead of relying on looks alone.
At Harman Hardwood Flooring, your satisfaction is our top priority, so we want to help you find out if walnut flooring is your best choice. This guide answers some common questions about walnut flooring.
Characteristics of Walnut Flooring
Walnut is a dark wood with prominent veins and swirls. Natural walnut is usually either dark brown or has a purple hue to it, which may be perfectly suited to the look you want.
Of course, walnut flooring can be customized to suit your preferences through a range of finishes and stains, which can lighten or darken the wood.
Walnut is a common choice for homeowners because it goes nicely with other types of flooring and complements any decor style.
It is available in engineered planks or solid hardwood, which allows you to control costs.
Walnut flooring is readily available, so you can get in a variety of plank sizes, from wide and long, to short and thin. You can take your pick of planks with knots or uneven coloring, whatever you want. This allows you to get creative with installation.
Types of Walnut Hardwood Flooring
American walnut, the most common option you will find, is a popular choice. It’s not as hard as some other types of walnut, but it’s very easy to find because it’s easy to source.
Both Asian and Brazilian walnut are very dark and durable, hard enough to up to daily wear and tear, but since they are imported woods, they’re more expensive than American walnut.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Walnut?
With a hardness ranking, or Janka rating, of 1010, walnut flooring is softer than most hardwoods, such as hickory or oak, and can be more easily damaged.
You can use a sealer to strengthen the wood and protect it against damage. But if you want a distressed look in your floors, then walnut may work perfectly for you as it acquires a used look over time.
The dark color of walnut can typically hide small imperfections such as dents or scratches, so the softness may not be a huge concern in your home.
Walnut does take stain well, but many people choose to not stain it. The natural colors stand out well and provide a true wood look that draws many people to this wood choice in the first place.
Walnut floors may help to increase your home’s value if you are thinking of selling soon because buyers are attracted to wood flooring.
Care and Maintenance for Walnut Flooring
Walnut’s ease of care makes it a great option for those who have pets or children. However, water will damage the wood, so any spills or wetness should be cleaned up immediately.
As with any hardwood, walnut is a great flooring option because it won’t hold allergens or dander.
How Much Does Walnut Flooring Cost?
When it comes to cost, there isn’t a direct answer because of all the options you have when choosing your flooring, such as plank size, type of walnut, finish, etc.
Remember, each installation project requires a different amount of wood. It may be easy for us to give a quote for a generic square room because we can estimate how much you will need, but if you have a room that strays from conventions, the cost will differ, perhaps significantly.
In addition, the overall cost will include installation. It is pretty easy to install walnut flooring, but if you have never installed hardwood before, then you should consider hiring a professional who has the training and knowledge to ensure the flooring is properly installed. This is especially true if you have to remove flooring and prepare the area before installation.
Discover Your Perfect Hardwood Flooring
Now that you know more about walnut flooring, we want to be sure you choose the perfect flooring for your space. Check out our hardwood wizard and choose colors, finishes, and other features to learn more about your hardwood preferences.