What's the hardest hardwood you recommend for pets?

Hickory (Janka ~1820) leads the pack of widely-available species. White oak (~1360) holds up well in most homes too.

Will my walnut floor really lighten over time?

Yes — walnut bleaches significantly in direct sun over the first 1–3 years. Rotate rugs early to avoid harsh tan lines.

Is white oak really that much better than red oak?

Different, not strictly better. White oak has a cooler, more contemporary look and slightly better water resistance. Red oak has a warmer pink undertone and is often more affordable.

Can I mix species in different rooms?

We generally recommend one species across connected open-plan spaces. Closed-off rooms (bedrooms, offices) can carry a different species or even a different material.

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Material• 8 min read

Which hardwood species is right for my home?

Quick Answer

There are dozens of species on the market. We specify a handful, often. Here is what we tell clients on the kitchen island when they're holding three samples and trying to decide.

Detailed Explanation

White oak — the workhorse

By far the most-specified premium hardwood in the Lower Mainland for good reason. Janka hardness around 1360, beautifully open grain, takes stain evenly, hugely versatile from very light Scandinavian looks to deep smoked tones. Rift-and-quartered cuts give you the cleanest contemporary look; live-sawn gives you the most natural variation.

Walnut — for warmth and depth

Softer (Janka ~1010) but visually unmatched. Chocolate browns, rich undertones, a fine grain. Walnut lightens with sun exposure — beautiful if you love that aged look, frustrating if you don't.

Hickory — for hardness and character

One of the hardest commonly-available domestics (Janka ~1820). Strong grain, dramatic colour variation between heartwood and sapwood, very forgiving in active homes with dogs and kids.

Maple — for clean, contemporary spaces

Tight, uniform grain. Hard rock maple (~1450 Janka) is durable. Notoriously difficult to stain evenly — most beautiful in clear or very light tones.

Ash — the design-forward alternative

Similar hardness to oak (~1320 Janka), more open grain, lighter background with a touch more drama. Stains beautifully.

Exotics

Tigerwood, Brazilian cherry, acacia — capable of stunning floors, but with real considerations around colour shift, sourcing, and finish compatibility.

Top 5 Mistakes

What we see go wrong, again and again.

1Choosing walnut for a high-traffic family entry and then resenting the dents.
2Picking maple and trying to stain it dark — maple blotches under dark stain almost every time.
3Specifying an exotic without asking about colour shift — most darken or lighten dramatically in the first year.
4Picking a species based on a 3" showroom sample instead of a full board layout.
5Ignoring grain pattern. The same species in rift-sawn vs plain-sawn looks like two different floors.

Aaron's Advice

"Look at samples in your own house, at the time of day you actually live in the room. Showroom lighting lies."

— Aaron, President, Cypress Hardwood Flooring

Frequently Asked Questions

What homeowners ask us most.

What's the hardest hardwood you recommend for pets?: Hickory (Janka ~1820) leads the pack of widely-available species. White oak (~1360) holds up well in most homes too.
Will my walnut floor really lighten over time?: Yes — walnut bleaches significantly in direct sun over the first 1–3 years. Rotate rugs early to avoid harsh tan lines.
Is white oak really that much better than red oak?: Different, not strictly better. White oak has a cooler, more contemporary look and slightly better water resistance. Red oak has a warmer pink undertone and is often more affordable.
Can I mix species in different rooms?: We generally recommend one species across connected open-plan spaces. Closed-off rooms (bedrooms, offices) can carry a different species or even a different material.

Keep learning

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