List of Pros and Cons of Hickory Flooring

When you are building or renovating a house, there are many decisions that need to be made, and those choices often lead to more decisions. For instance, if you decide that you want to install hardwood floors, you aren’t done yet. You know need to decide what type of wood you want in your home. Hickory is an excellent choice for flooring, though there is some bad that needs to be taken along with the good.

List of Pros of Hickory Flooring

1. Durable
Hickory is one of the hardest woods on the planet. It is often used for baseball bats and golf clubs, which should tell you something about the amount of beating that it is capable of taking. It will have no problem withstanding the wear and tear of a busy household. It is much less likely to develop scratches and dents than other hardwoods such as maple and oak, although it is not invulnerable. If excessive force does create blemishes in the wood, it can be sanded down and refinished to remove them.

2. Beautiful Grain Pattern
Hickory flooring will not have a uniform appearance, although most people who opt for hardwood floors are not looking for uniform. If you want unique character, hickory is the wood for you. The color variations range from dark brown to almost white with everything in between. Mineral streaks are also often present in the wood, which adds another striking feature to your finished floor.

List of Cons of Hickory Flooring

1. Difficult Installation
It’s extreme density, while part of what makes hickory such a durable floor, also makes it very difficult to install. It is hard enough to damage tools, particularly if they are not being used correctly. Beginner DIYers should stay far away from a project like this. Even seasoned weekend carpenters would most likely benefit from the help of an experienced hardwood specialist. Buying pre-cut and finished planks will drive up the cost of materials, but will save you an enormous amount of time and frustration when it comes to installation. This will also become an issue when it is time to refinish your floors, as it takes a great deal of sanding to smooth out any blemishes.

2. Warping
If hickory wood is not dried properly, it is very susceptible to warping. For this reason, it is very important that you only buy from reputable companies. Kiln dried hickory is your safest choice when it comes to choosing lumber that will not bend and twist on you. Your lumber should come with several years of warranty just in case problems do develop. Once again, this is going to make this project more expensive, but paying extra is better than having your brand new floor ruined.