If it’s time to have your hardwood floors replaced, there are several species to choose from. While popular choices, including oak and maple, bring a range of benefits, beech is a hidden gem with unique features. Use this guide to get better acquainted with beechwood so you can decide whether it may be right for you.

What Does Beechwood Look Like?

This wood comes from fagus grandifolia, also known as the beech tree. Found predominantly in North America and Europe, this species grows to an impressive height of 120 feet on average.

The tree produces strong, durable hardwood that has a pale white to brownish coloring with a tight, uniform grain. Although the wood has a smooth appearance throughout, you can still see the tiny specks and pores in its pattern. 

What Are the Benefits of Beech Hardwood Floors?

The American beech has a rating of 3,000 on the Janka hardness scale, which measures how tough wood is. This rating is above the median hardness for hardwood, which sits around 1,300. This high rating means you can expect beech flooring to withstand heavy foot traffic without developing scratches. 

The coloring of the flooring may vary from one board to the next. Wood sourced from the inner part of the tree is often a dark red to brown color, while the softer, outer sapwood has a paler shade. While the small pores of the wood make it difficult to stain, beech doesn’t require additional staining because it’s naturally resistant to fading from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Combined with the material’s straight grains, this durability results in flooring that looks uniform throughout as it ages. 

When you’re ready to update your hardwood floors, turn to Carolina Wood Floors. These professionals have provided residential flooring installation to clients in Winston-Salem, NC, for over 30 years. They will help you pick a hardwood species that meets your aesthetic preferences and budget. Visit their website to view some of the products they carry, and call (336) 765-0680 to get started.