Hickory Flooring Pros and Cons - Tips & Tools | Hurst Hardwoods (2024)

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Hickory Flooring Pros and Cons - Tips & Tools | Hurst Hardwoods? ›

Although all wood floors may be scratched or dented, hickory is among the more resistant to acquiring these blemishes. Hickory stands up well to ordinary wear and tear. Hickory's density does make it challenging to install.

Although hickory wood is harder than many other kinds of wood, a major drawback is that it is very prone to swelling.

The hardest of all domestic hardwoods, hickory has a ranking of 1820 on the Janka scale. This makes it a tough and durable option for your flooring. Hickory isn't as common as oak or other wood flooring options, but that means it will make an even more unique addition to your home.

NEVER USE STEAM MOPS TO CLEAN YOUR HICKORY FLOORS. Dry cleaning of the floor should be carried out regularly to remove loose dirt, grit, and dust. Use a suitable dusting pad or soft broom. If vacuum cleaning, the cleaning head must have a soft brush to avoid damage to the floor.

Like all hardwoods, perhaps even more so, hickory solid wood flooring will last for decades. That's especially true, considering you can sand and refinish hardwood floors multiple times. Hickory flooring also requires little maintenance.

Hickory is Extremely Durable

Naturally, hardwood takes a lot of beatings. Furniture, heavy foot traffic, pets, kids, dirt, food, and drink are all potential causes for damage. Because hickory scores 1820 on the Janka hardness scale—making it the second hardest flooring type in the US—its durability is nearly unmatched.

Hickory flooring typically pairs well with flexible foam underlayment. Maple: Along with hickory, maple is one of the hardest types of wood flooring. It generally works best with foam or rubber underlayment, as both offer a moderate amount of support and insulation.

As with any natural material, hickory flooring may undergo subtle changes in color over time. The heartwood, with its rich dark hues, can mellow into lighter shades, displaying a spectrum from pale blond to warm amber and golden brown.

Hickory tends not to darken with age and takes all stains and finishes equally well. Because of the hardness of hickory, sanding may take more time.

Keep in mind that sometimes grades are combined (Select & Better, Second and Better, etc.) or are a mix of two standard grades (No. 1 Common, No. 2 Common, etc.).

Does hickory dent easily? ›

The hickory tree is the second hardest species in North America, ranking at 1,820 on the Janka scale. Commonly used to make baseball bats and golf clubs, it's a wood with incredible strength, density and resistance to wear and tear, making it one tough floor that won't scratch or dent easily.

Acclimation times vary by species and product, but a rule of thumb is to acclimate wood floor products for at least three days. You're trying to reach an equilibrium between the moisture content of the wood materials and the air where the product is being installed.

Hickory's density does make it challenging to install. Solid, unfinished hickory flooring's pros may be exceeded by its cons for anyone other than hardwood flooring professionals. The hardness makes cutting and sanding a bit challenging, and the dense grain further complicates staining and finishing efforts.

So, hickory is generally harder and more durable than oak. However, oak is more resistant to dents and scratches.

Hickory. Hickory is the most durable of the different types of wood flooring, making it ideal for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and children. The varied grain pattern also helps to hide scratches.

Natural maple, ash, and hickory will typically lose their snowy white colour and begin to yellow with exposure to light.

As with any natural material, hickory flooring may undergo subtle changes in color over time.