Each type of wood flooring has its own cell structure that creates its own physical properties that determines its suitability for various applications. The hardness hard woods will vary greatly and some hardwoods are not suitable for flooring simply because they are not hard enough to with stand the wear and tear. The Janka Scale of Hardness is an excellent tool for making the best decisions (See chart).
North America’s forests grow hundreds of varieties of hardwood (deciduous trees) like ash, oak, maple, poplar, cherry, etc. The grain patters, texture and color vary significantly.
Including mahogany, rosewood, teak and wenge, these hardwoods are not native to North America. These hardwoods grow in tropical rain forests and are imported for use in the U.S.. These species of wood differ from our native hardwoods in color, grain pattern and luster.