Deciding to install hardwood flooring in your home is easy to do. Wood flooring generally has a sophisticated, timeless look. The hard surface is easy to keep clean, and this can reduce indoor allergies and improve air quality. Another benefit of hardwood flooring is the exceptional range of wood species and styles to choose from. Ash wood flooring may immediately capture your attention as you explore the many options available. With a closer look at ash flooring, you can feel confident about your decision to install these planks in your home.
The Beautiful Appearance of Ash Wood Flooring
With a first look at ash flooring, you may be drawn to its smooth surface and dramatic striations. As is the case with some other types of wood species, ash wood flooring shows off bold swirls throughout the grain. These swirls will add personality to any room in your home. The color possibilities for ash flooring are significant. Ash heartwood has a darker tone than the sapwood, and this variation combines with different stain hues to produces incredible variation in the appearance. Generally, it absorbs stain well, and it has a lighter, brighter appearance than other types of hardwood flooring. With this in mind, ash flooring can bring a sense of warmth and charm to the space.
The Unique Qualities of Ash Wood Flooring
The benefits of ash wood flooring extend beyond its beauty. This is among the harder wood species used to make flooring today, so it is strongly resistant to damage and dents when items are dropped on it. In addition, it has moderate shock absorption properties, and this has an effect on comfort and aesthetics in the home.
Uniquely, this species is in decline. The Emerald Ash Borer is causing widespread destruction of the trees, so the planks may be very rare within the near future. Because of the potential rarity, homes with ash wood flooring may be coveted by some buyers. On the other hand, the potential scarcity may make it more expensive to install ash flooring in your home if you wait too long to do so. Furthermore, tree harvesting is now typically done sooner because of the Emerald Ash Borer. This means that plank sizes are generally smaller than the sizes of planks for other wood species.
A Comparison of Ash Flooring vs Oak Flooring
Because ash wood flooring and oak planks have a comparable appearance with rich grains, you understandably may be debating between these two options. Hardness is one of the differentiating factors to consider. Ash wood flooring has a 1320 ranking on the Janka hardness factor. How does this rate against oak planks? This is approximately 2 percent harder than planks made out of red oak. It is also approximately 2 percent softer than planks made out of white oak. This is a negligible difference.
Cost is understandably a factor as you prepare to install wood flooring in your home. Both oak and ash hardwood flooring costs vary based on the thickness, quality, grade and other factors. However, ash is typically slightly more expensive than oak floors when two comparable materials are stacked against each other.
Finalizing Your Hardwood Flooring Selection
If you are like many other homeowners who have taken the time to learn about ash hardwood flooring, you may be excited about having this material professionally installed in your home. Before you can do so, you will need to choose between two available grades. These are Prime grade and Tavern grade. Tavern-grade planks are produced from sapwood, so they are slightly softer, shorter and lighter. The ability to choose between these two grades provides you with ample possibilities to consider. Now is the perfect time to check out the many styles of ash hardwood flooring planks available for installation in your home.
