The durability of your hardwood floor will depend on the type of wood you have, the quality of the timber, the finish placed onto the wood and the workmanship of the installation of your timber flooring. Although some hardwood is harder than other, without at least a consideration towards these other factors it is impossible to give a definitive answer.

Why only hardwood?

Despite popular conception, the terms hardwood and softwood aren’t categories of wood by hardness, but is actually a term that refers to the type of seed that a tree produces. As a rule though, you should look for harder woods to have on your floors. Popular softer woods such as pine aren’t suitable for timber flooring and don’t have the durability required.

What about bamboo flooring?

Bamboo flooring is now recognised as a real alternative to hardwood floors. It has a less environmental impact than hardwood floors because is grows faster and can be grown in denser conditions. A well made bamboo floor can be stronger than many popular hardwoods and is becoming more popular.

Types of common Australian hardwood floor

• Spotted Gum – this comes in as the most durable of common Australia wooden floors after testing.
• Brushbox – not far behind the spotted gum is the brushbox. This wood is most commonly used in NSW and Queensland.
• Blue Gum – coming in at third place, the best blue gum is the Sydney Blue Gum.
• Jarrah – a very popular floor which comes in mid-range. A dark hardwood grown mainly in Western Australia.
• Merbau – very popular in Australia for outdoor areas as well. Not used much for interior floors due its susceptibility for tannin bleed.
• Kempus – coming in very close to merbau but far ahead of the next contender.
• Tasmanian Oak – a beautiful wood but unfortunately not as hardy as others. This wood is also known as Victorian Ash.

Other factors in durability

• Quality of the timber – some timber has been damaged either naturally or in its processing.
• Location – if your home suffers from dampness issues this may affect the durability of a wooden floor.
• Installation – especially with floating floors, installation is key and uneveness will cause wear and damage.
• Finish – the finish placed on your floor is important. A bad finish or a badly sealed floor can spell trouble.
• Care – if people insist on wearing stilleto heals on your floor then nothing is going to save it.

If you are looking to re-vitalise your existing floor boards you won’t have a lot of choice in wood type so make sure you follow all the steps necessary to ensure that the finish applied is top rate, and then treat them well. They will be sure to give you years of happiness