Why Install Walnut Flooring?
Although exotic species are growing in popularity, domestic hardwoods are frequently the go-to source for flooring.
However, the distinct, bold, and contrasting look of Brazilian cherry or tigerwood often makes oak or maple pale - literally - in comparison.
Is there a middle ground, one in which the flooring still has a bold appearance but also the familiarity domestic species offer? Sure there is - it's walnut flooring.
In its natural state, walnut flooring is characterized by dark, almost purplish brown heartwood and white or tan sapwood, creating a striking appearance that becomes the visual draw of any room.
On the other hand, the contrast can be too distinctive, in some cases, and homeowners may opt for an even look.
For achieving this, walnut lumber is steamed.
The darker color of the heartwood bleeds into the sapwood, resulting in an overall dark brown appearance.
That's not to say a homeowner can't get contrasts.
Rather, evenness characterizes the higher grades of walnut flooring, while the distinction between the heartwood and sapwood is present in lower grades.
Looks aren't all there are to walnut flooring.
The hardwood, as a significant asset, presents no installation difficulties.
Although it has a similar pore arrangement as hickory, it has straight, open grain and is less dense, with a Janka scale rating of 1010.
In the mid range of durability, walnut flooring is moderately dense but not difficult to machine and sand and offers good shock resistance.
Like all types of domestic hardwoods, walnut comes in multiple types for installation.
Before looking at hardwoods, however, determine where the wood will be placed and if you plan to finish it or not.
Solid hardwoods, considered the most traditional, are high-quality flooring but can only be installed at or above grade; moisture and heat warp solid hardwoods.
Engineered, on the other hand, can be installed below grade, such as in a basement space, and retains the same appearance.
The only difference? As a composite product, engineered has the desired species on top - walnut, in this case - and multiple plys of the same or different species below.
All plys are bonded together and have grain facing in different directions.
As a result, the hardwood resists heat's and moisture's effects.
Walnut flooring is also available prefinished and unfinished, and both types have benefits.
Prefinished takes far less time to install but comes in a set amount of stains.
Unfinished, on the other hand, takes more time to install but provides limitless possibilities for staining.
Although staining walnut a darker color is not recommended, many lighter finishes can give your floor a polished appearance while preserving the contrast of the hardwood's heartwood and sapwood.
However, the distinct, bold, and contrasting look of Brazilian cherry or tigerwood often makes oak or maple pale - literally - in comparison.
Is there a middle ground, one in which the flooring still has a bold appearance but also the familiarity domestic species offer? Sure there is - it's walnut flooring.
In its natural state, walnut flooring is characterized by dark, almost purplish brown heartwood and white or tan sapwood, creating a striking appearance that becomes the visual draw of any room.
On the other hand, the contrast can be too distinctive, in some cases, and homeowners may opt for an even look.
For achieving this, walnut lumber is steamed.
The darker color of the heartwood bleeds into the sapwood, resulting in an overall dark brown appearance.
That's not to say a homeowner can't get contrasts.
Rather, evenness characterizes the higher grades of walnut flooring, while the distinction between the heartwood and sapwood is present in lower grades.
Looks aren't all there are to walnut flooring.
The hardwood, as a significant asset, presents no installation difficulties.
Although it has a similar pore arrangement as hickory, it has straight, open grain and is less dense, with a Janka scale rating of 1010.
In the mid range of durability, walnut flooring is moderately dense but not difficult to machine and sand and offers good shock resistance.
Like all types of domestic hardwoods, walnut comes in multiple types for installation.
Before looking at hardwoods, however, determine where the wood will be placed and if you plan to finish it or not.
Solid hardwoods, considered the most traditional, are high-quality flooring but can only be installed at or above grade; moisture and heat warp solid hardwoods.
Engineered, on the other hand, can be installed below grade, such as in a basement space, and retains the same appearance.
The only difference? As a composite product, engineered has the desired species on top - walnut, in this case - and multiple plys of the same or different species below.
All plys are bonded together and have grain facing in different directions.
As a result, the hardwood resists heat's and moisture's effects.
Walnut flooring is also available prefinished and unfinished, and both types have benefits.
Prefinished takes far less time to install but comes in a set amount of stains.
Unfinished, on the other hand, takes more time to install but provides limitless possibilities for staining.
Although staining walnut a darker color is not recommended, many lighter finishes can give your floor a polished appearance while preserving the contrast of the hardwood's heartwood and sapwood.
