HELLO TO ALL, I ENJOY READING REVIEWS AND COMMENTS ON ALL ISSUES FROM MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES, NOW I AM IN NEED OF HELP.
I AM HAVING A NEW HOME BUILT AND AM LOOKING TO HAVE PRE-FINISHED HARDWOOD FLOORS INSTALLED IN EITHER THE WHOLE HOUSE, OR AT LEAST THE WHOLE FIRST FLOOR AND MASTER BEDROOM. I HAVE LOOKED AT MANY DIFFERENT TYPES AND SPECIES, AND ONE THING I KNOW IS THAT I WANT THEM TO BE LIGHT IN COLOR (NATURAL MAPLE) BUT AM NOT SURE WHICH WOOD SPECIES I SHOULD GO WITH? I THINK IT IS A CHOICE BETWEEN OAK AND MAPLE, I NEED SOMETHING THAT IS ABOUT THE SAME HARDNESS AS MAPLE(MORE OR LESS) AND WILL LAST A "LONG TIME".
I APPRECIATE ALL COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS: WOOD SPECIES, TYPE, STYLE, AND MANUFACTURERS.

THANKS
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Maple isn't that hard even though they call it hard maple. It's hard compared to other N. American hardwoods but doesn't compare to the South American hardwoods. Hardwood Installer website has a link to different wood species; go there and look at the imports.

Ag:

Gary has the right idea. Take a look at our hardwood flooring species and photos section on the main site. Oak and maple are too common in my opinion. Nowadays there are so many exotic hardwoods being used for flooring in many colors. Amendoim comes to mind in that color range from BR111. Others from BR111 Casanova include Alpine Maple and Bavarian Cherry.

Others to also consider are Iroko, Brazilian Maple, and some Ash products from Kahrs.

Lasting a long time will vary depending on the care given.

Keep in mind the light maple will patina a lot depending on the amount of UV you have. Out here in the southwest it happens quite quickly!

If you order hand picked Ash without brown heart ( brown color in ash )
you will get the lightness you need and hardness that will last enough.
Again, with proper type of finish you can recoat floors easy and without too much money and effort spent. Maple is good too, so as Oak and Hickory. Exotics are strong and durable, but darkening with age.
Finally what will "Last Long"? Solid wood floors is your choice. With proper maintenance Solid Hardwood Floors are for a lifetime.

Vlad
www.sheogaflooring.com