Wood flooring can be sourced from an array of different tree species which grow all around the world. And each type offers a slightly different look in its colors and details, giving you the chance to choose from a wide variety of naturally beautiful styles. Get to know what makes each species unique in this simple guide.

Oak

The oak tree is abundant in the Northern Hemisphere with its level of growth in America, Asia, Europe and North Africa making it one of the most commonly used species for flooring today. Popular for its light to medium brown color, the wood is also loved for its natural ageing which sees it develop into a richer honey-gold color with exposure to the air over time.

Oak has uneven and interesting grain patterns together with distinct growth rings and knots that bring a truly rustic feel to beneath the feet. The shade is easy to incorporate with various décor schemes while the species provides outstanding durability in the home, able to bear decades of footfall.

This versatile wood makes beautiful flooring in its native golden color or can be treated with smoking and stains to present more unique effects.

Walnut

American Black Walnut is defined by its mix of chocolate-colored heartwood and paler tawny hues. Wide grain patterns flow throughout the wood while subtle auburn tones capture a luxurious look across boards. The species is native to eastern North America and is slightly less hard than oak yet still reliably durable for the home.

Walnut is often enjoyed for the striking contrasts it creates in bright spaces and the enduring sense of warmth its rich color enthuses in the home. Get more ideas for styling walnut flooring.

Maple

This light, creamy wood features uniform grain patterns and understated detail making it ideal for a subtle base. The species mainly grows in Asia but is also found in Europe, north Africa and north America and has a hardness similar to oak. Maple brings a bright and airy feel to rooms which is naturally suited to minimal interior themes or delicate cottage-style spaces.

Bamboo

Harvested from the topical regions of Asia, Africa and the United States, bamboo isn’t technically a wood but a grass yet possesses some of the most amazing wood-like qualities. The plant is super strong and grows extremely quickly, with new stems becoming fully matured within just 4-5 years. And these stems have an intrinsic hardness that makes them ideal for production into floor.

In its laminated form, bamboo flooring reveals the natural knuckles and growth rings of the canes with clear demarcations between strips shown throughout boards. The strand-woven type has a less refined and more exotic feel, displaying the multitude of bamboo cane fibers that go into its make-up. Strand-woven bamboo is also one of the hardest types of natural flooring available today.