Pine is the most common softwood flooring option and costs around $4.50 to $10 per square foot. As the name implies, a softwood floor is typically softer than other hardwood floors. Eastern white pine is one of the most common varieties and has been used in New England homes for hundreds of years. In addition, this wood type typically costs less than true hardwood. Sometimes, pine is half the cost of oak and even less expensive than some vinyl flooring.Â
However, pine is usually not often stocked by hardware stores, so visiting a sawmill is your best bet. Keep in mind that as a softer wood, pine will get dented, dinged, and scratched more easily than other harder woods; it can also develop a patina, or darkening over time. Hardwood pine floors can hold up pretty well in a room that doesn’t see heavy traffic, like an attic, lasting for many years.Â
Bamboo
At around $5 to $11 per square foot, bamboo floor prices range on the less expensive end. They come from a fast-growing, renewable grass source and come pre finished, so they're ready to use without sanding, staining, or coating. Bamboo floors are moisture-resistant because they typically hold the moisture on the top surface, making liquid easy to wipe away. Also, it doesn't trap dust or mites, making it great for allergy sufferers.
Some downsides of bamboo include the fact that it can scratch easily. We recommend using lighter color planks because they have better durability since the heating process that darkens the wood also softens it up to 20%. Another factor to consider is that not all brands are eco-friendly. Some utilize manufacturing processes that diminish the environmental friendliness of the materials.Â
HickoryÂ
Hickory flooring costs around $6 to $13 per square foot, is sturdy, and will hold up well in high-traffic areas in your home. It’s one of the hardest North American hardwood species, meaning it’s less likely to dent than softer hardwoods like maple or walnut. Homeowners with children and pets might want to opt for hardwood flooring made of hickory, but keep in mind that it's not simple for a DIY-er to sand and cut the wood.Â
As added benefits, hickory comes in wider planks and longer lengths than some other hardwood. And once hickory hardwood flooring is properly sealed, keeping it clean is simple: Occasionally sweeping or vacuuming and mopping will do the trick.Â
OakÂ
Oak is an excellent hardwood for flooring in entryways and kitchens because it can handle heavy traffic. You can find stained red oak more than any other type of wood in American homes, costing around $8 to $13 per square foot.Â
In recent years, white oak has been favored, often installed in a herringbone pattern. It costs around $8 to $15 per square foot, and its neutral color makes it easy to stain a variety of colors. Red oak is a bit different from white oak because it has a shorter grain, doesn't stain as well, and is less water-resistant.Â
Ash
Ash might not be the most popular hardwood, but it's a favorite of homeowners with a modern aesthetic. It costs around $9 to $13 per square foot. Ash is bright with a swirly pattern, and there are two types: Chinese white ash and imported white ash.Â
Unfortunately, a beetle known as the emerald ash borer is killing off the ash tree population, meaning ash trees will become rare in a few years. For now, ash flooring is still available but often only in shorter lengths.
WalnutÂ
Walnut costs around $11 to $20 per square foot and is a very dense wood and popular material for furniture, wood paneling, and flooring. Both the American walnut and Brazilian walnut types are resistant to insects and mold. The colors of its sapwood and heartwood are very different, which means there are differences in color and grain from board to board. And because walnut has a warm feel from its dark and rich colors and grains, it's able to hide scratches and dents more easily than other hardwoods.