Thinking about installing hickory floors in your home? Hickory hardwood floors continue to be a popular choice among many homeowners in the country.
Thanks to its durability and unique style, it gives you one-of-a-kind flooring that will undoubtedly impress any guest.
That said, it's still essential to determine the pros and cons of hickory hardwood floors, so you know if it's the best choice for your home.
The Basics of Hickory Hardwood Floors
Generally, hickory is not a rare hardwood flooring material. But it’s highly durable, visually appealing, and improves the resale value of your home.
Like many other flooring options, however, hickory floors also come with a fair share of downside. Most of these setbacks boil down to different personal preferences, though.
Brief History
Hickory is among the most common tree species in the USA and Europe. There are 12 primary Hickory species in the country, with all materials considerably usable lumber.
You'll be surprised– some hickory trees produce edible nuts (Pecans). If you're a big fan of pecan pie, hickory trees are your best friend!
Types of Hickory Wood
For your reference, hickory trees are available in different sizes: starting from shellbark trees (up to 60 feet) to large shagbark trees (growing up to 80 to 100 feet).
Most hickory tree species produce flowers with the characteristic droopy leaves. When it comes to wood grain, an essential factor in flooring, you can count on most hickory wood materials to be relatively similar.
Hickory Wood for Floors
Hickory is a highly durable selection if you're picking between domestic lumber choices. It doesn't require high maintenance and is known to be water-resistant.
Not to mention, it has a unique look and charm that will impress anyone at first glance. Homeowners that aren’t too fond of the rustic appearance may easily opt for stained options to meet their home’s interior aesthetic
Fortunately, if you don’t want to limit your options to solid hickory wood only– you can pretty much consider other hardwood flooring alternatives (such as fake wood options).
You’ll be surprised to see hickory patterns from cork floors to concrete floors that mimic the appearance of wood.
Factors to Keep in Mind in Choosing Hickory Floorboards
Before you invest in hickory floors for your home, here are a few critical factors to keep in mind.
Amount of Heartwood
Depending on how the hickory tree log is cut, your floorboards will generally display a blend of brown, off-white, and tan colors.
Hickory floors made specifically from heartwood have better color consistency. Not to mention, it's also more durable and less prone to dents and scratches.
Floorboard Length
If you opt for smaller floorboards, expect more seams. This may only cause water to seep in and leave damage.
In contrast, more extended floorboards have a more consistent look. Homeowners planning to follow a rustic look for their living spaces can consider this an essential factor.
Double Curing
This refers to an intricate process where the wood is air-dried for about 3 to 6 months. Then, it is kiln-dried before the planks are commercially manufactured, so they are moisture-free. Double curing is critical for hickory floorboards to enhance their durability and performance.
Pros & Cons of Hickory Wood Flooring
To determine if hickory floors are the best choice for your home needs, let’s discuss the good and the bad if you choose to go with this route.
Spoiler alert: You can expect better than bad. The main disadvantages pertain to its appearance– which will depend on personal preference.
Pros:
Cons:
Are Hickory Floors the Right Choice for My Home?
Before anything else, it's best to consult a local flooring expert to double-check the areas of your home in which hickory hardwood flooring can be ideally installed.
If you’re a big fan of the rustic appearance and grain patterns of natural hickory– consider it an excellent flooring material for your next project!
Just keep in mind how it may cost you a bit more than other standard flooring choices. If your heart is not 100% into it, there are plenty of other flooring types to consider. (Related: EVP Flooring For Your Home: Pros, Cons & Costs)