Does hardwood flooring have natural knots and grain?
Yes, knots, grains, swirls, and growth rings add color variations and give your hardwood flooring installation character and distinction. It's almost impossible to find wood floors without these characteristics, but some are more subtle than others. Some people like an abundance of these characteristics, while others prefer something more subtle, so be sure to tell the experts at our flooring store in Portland, OR, your preference.
Knots add beauty
Sometimes knots, those little dark circles, are referred to as "visible imperfections," but they are far from damaged floors; knots, swirls, and grains create visual interest and a rustic, sometimes rugged, atmosphere. Knots occur naturally, usually when a tree trunk is cut vertically; the knot resembles the connection of a branch that grows around the swirl.
Medium-toned hardwood flooring is known in design circles for these shades to bring out knots more clearly. They also show more in wider planks, just because there?s more surface. It also depends on plank size; currently, wider planks are trending and are more traditional with better availability to see knots and grains.
We've all heard the term "knotty pine," and this is the epitome of a rustic, casual look. This species is clean and straightforward, with brownish straight grains and sable colored growth rings on a distinctive yellowish/gold background. These knots are tiny.
Other species with knots and grains include:
This is only a partial list and includes some of the most popular domestic species (harvested within North America). Tell your flooring professional about whether you like large, small, or random knots or if you prefer a particular grain pattern. Species that include knots, grains, and swirls are hickory, white and red oak, cherry, maple (subtle knots, but abundant grains), walnut, ash, alder, and more.
As you can see, there's a lot more to choosing the right hardwood flooring than color alone, and one of our services at Marion's Carpet Warehouses is the design consultation. Our professionals will help you find the one that best fits your style and decor. We hope to see you in one of our two showrooms, Wilsonville and Portland, OR. We work with both residential and commercial customers in and around Wilsonville, Portland, Beaverton, Vancouver, and Lake Oswego and also provide free wood flooring quotes.
