Other Names and Species: The type of birch most commonly used for wood flooring is yellow birch (betula alleghaniensis). By contrast, the sapwood of sweet birch is light-colored, whereas the heartwood is dark brown with a red tinge. Both woods make great flooring for your space, but there are some differences. However, over time little dents and dings will appear, plus the physical appearance of the wood will change as your floors age. Paper birch, also known as white birch, is used for lumber, veneer, plywood and pulpwood, and its smooth uniform texture makes it a popular choice for household items, toys and products such as wooden spoons and toothpicks. T&G Flooring is one of the biggest wood flooring retailers in Colorado. For centuries, parquet... https://t.co/0LPGIibSYH, There are a few rooms in the house where solid or engineered hardwood just isn’t the most practical. It is hard and stiff, with excellent shock-resistance. Birch wood has an even texture with a straight, closed grain. The type of birch most commonly used for wood flooring is yellow birch (betula alleghaniensis). Birch also has enough color variation to appeal to all decorating tastes. It is possible to stain birch wood the color you want. We’ll give you unbiased information to get you exactly what you want. However, there is a distinct benefit to not staining your birch floors. Birch wood flooring is derived from the birch tree, which is native to the Northern Hemisphere. Birch flooring is available as an engineered floor or as a solid hardwood floor. Choosing wood that has the color you want without staining will maximize the longevity of your floors. COLOR: Bavaria is a dark color that features rich brown undertones while enhancing the natural characteristics of the wood. A light colored wood which is also popular for furniture. Paper birch is a small- to medium-sized deciduous, broadleaf tree found throughout the interior of British Columbia. Birch is a hard and versatile wood, and great for flooring. Learn more about available grades of Birch hardwood flooring: phone: (518) 623-9339 • email: info@countyfloors.com. You won’t have to worry about sanding past the stain and having to restain your floors, as well. Durability Rating: Raw Birch hardwood will readily rot and decay if exposed to the elements. Birch is a modern choice for a hardwood flooring. SPECIES: Yellow Birch is a medium grain wood featuring wavy mineral streaks resulting in an elegant and contemporary hardwood floor. Birch is tough, so you won’t have to repair or refinish a lot of damage. Birch Wood Characteristics. Sweet birch is ranked at 1470, which is just one percent harder than hard maple. A fine-grained hardwood similar to Cherry, Birch, and Maple. Sweet birch is sometimes called “black birch” or “cherry birch.” Paper birch also goes by the names “white birch,” “canoe birch,” and “silver birch.”. Birch Wood Flooring Species Scientific Name: Betula spp. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES Birch is a heavy wood, hard, and strong. It is among the most featureless of all North American hardwoods; but with its natural, pleasing figure, it makes for very attractive furniture and flooring. Don’t let its soft look fool you, birch flooring is harder than oak. BIRCH WOOD Usually used as a paint grade or secondary wood Very common domestic timber Occasionally highly figured material is found and is called “Flame Birch” Tough to work, susceptible to chatter Very brittle wood that tears out with dull tools Birch flooring has great color variation, from lights to darks, that can suit a variety of tastes. Birch wood floors have a visual appeal that is enhanced by its natural highlights. Having birch floors in your home will also give you room to drop a few things on the floor, or keep your heels on for a house party without causing major damage. Pale yellow (tan) to reddish brown in color. Wood Floors Home » Wood Types » Birch. Back. Birch hardwood flooring is one of the most popular wood species to be used for interior spaces. Birch Hardwood Floor. Birch trees are members of the Betula family and grows abundantly in North America. Working Characteristics: Birch hardwood is fairly easy to work with. Yellow birch is 1260, comparable to white oak (seven percent softer). Paper birch is 910 (nine percent softer than teak). However, sweet birch (betula lenta) and paper birch (betula papyrifera) are also frequently used for this purpose. AVAILABILITY Reasonable availability, but more limited if selected for color. Birch has a small degree of luster, making it seem almost dull in appearance. Birch is a hard and versatile wood, and great for flooring. Birch is a very heavy, strong, durable wood. Birch Hardwood Flooring - Characteristics. When installing Birch hardwood flooring it is best to keep the home's relative humidity levels between 35% to 50%, before, during, and after installation. If you’re installing commercial flooring in a commercial space, birch floors can stand up to a steady flow of foot traffic. Some birch varieties will also have a very cool mix of golden toned, mixed with brownish and red tones. Birch characteristics are hardness, weight, greater strength, beautiful natural finish, small wood pores, and good shock resistance. It is also used as a substitute for mahogany and walnut. With its good machining qualities, birch wood sands satisfactorily and has excellent holding ability when nailed. Birch also has enough color variation to appeal to all decorating tastes.