Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - WHAT TYPE OF WOOD TO USE?

I HAVE PURCHASED A CEDAR LOG HOME AND ON THE SECOND FLOOR IT HAS PINE FLOORS BUT ON THE FIRST FLOOR THERE IS CARPET IN THE LIVING ROOM, I WANT TO PUT SOME WOOD FLOORING INSTEAD BUT I'M NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF WOOD TO USE. PINE IS NICE BUT DENTS EASILY, AND I WANT TO KEEP A RUSTIC LOOK TO THE HOUSE SO I DON'T WANT SOMETHING TO NICE AND SHINY THAT WON'T MATCH THE REST OF THE HOUSE. DOES ANYBODY HAVE SUGGESTIONS OF WHAT TYPE OF WOOD TO USE THAT WOULD BE A LITTLE MORE DURABLE THEN PINE BUT THAT WILL STILL GO WELL WITH MY LOG HOME?

Danny:

First off turn off the bright lights...yeesh. Any kind of "rustic" red or white oak would work well in your situation. Check out this photo gallery..


http://www.nofma.org/gallery.htm

Rustic grades are beautiful in log homes. I also like the planks. Natural hickory is very rustic looking, but tends to be more expensive than red and white oak. Any flavor of hardwood floor is beautiful.

Hi Danny, Don't be too quick to rule out pine! There is a place in my town that makes flooring out of antique heart pine. It is beautiful. The characteristics of this wood include bright colors of red, yellow, orange, and hints of other colors; it also has old nailhole stains. This "heart" pine is longleaf yellow pine from buildings from 70 years to 150 years old. It is only 5% softer than red oak, but 30% more stable dimensionally, and has 50% or more less movement caused by expansion/contraction due to humidity. The wood is re-milled from larger boards and is the ultimate rustic look, but it costs more.