Hickory Flooring Pros and Cons

When it comes to selecting hardwood flooring for your home, each material is different and has its own character and benefits. 

Hickory is known for its resilience and low maintenance compared to other flooring options like American walnut and teak.  

It also has an easily recognizable stylish look to it. Hickory comes in highly unique grain patterns and color variations, ranging from creamy whites to medium and dark browns, which makes it a highly versatile flooring option that can match virtually any space it’s placed in.

Here’s a breakdown of what hickory flooring has to offer, covering everything from its basic attributes to the installation process.

Basic Information 

Hickory is a type of hardwood native to North America, best known for its strength and tough nature. 

It’s the kind of wood that can truly take whatever you throw at it due to its dense and tough wood structure, which also makes it ideal for various uses beyond flooring, including tool handles and sporting equipment.

Aesthetics

Although highly subjective, hickory’s popularity would indicate that a lot of homeowners find this type of wood very appealing. 

Its color palette ranges from creamy whites and light tans to rich browns, with distinct and easily recognizable grain patterns. 

These features can add both rustic and sophisticated charm to your home, depending on the finish and the decor of the room. For those who cherish uniqueness in each board, hickory is a fantastic choice.

Durability

Durability is where hickory shines. On the Janka hardness scale, which measures the resistance of wood to denting and wear, hickory scores an impressive 1820 out of 4000. 

For reference, white oak, maple, and teak have a 1360, 1450 and 1155 Janka score respectively. This makes hickory ideal for areas with a lot of foot traffic, like living rooms, hallways and dining rooms – more on that later. 

Installation

Hickory’s toughness is a double-edged sword. While it’s great for durability, it can be challenging to install. 

Cutting and sanding this hardwood requires more effort compared to other, softer woods. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s impossible to do without professional help, though. If you’re experienced in DIY projects, you’ll be able to do it if you have the right tools for the job. 

However, for most homeowners, hiring a professional is not a bad idea if you don’t want to take any chances with something as expensive and time consuming as setting up flooring for your household.

Cost of Hickory

Hickory is considered a mid-range option as far as hardwood goes. It’s not as expensive as walnut, cherry and teak, but it’s generally not as cheap as birch, oak and maple. 

Typically you’ll pay anywhere from $3 to $8 per square foot for the materials alone, while installation will roughly cost you from $3 to $5 per square foot (if you hire a professional). 

While it’s certainly not the cheapest flooring option, its durability makes it a worthwhile investment, especially in areas that will see a lot of traffic over the years.

Which Rooms Does It Suit Well?

As mentioned earlier, Hickory is quite versatile and suitable for multiple rooms in your home. 

Most people use hickory in their living room because it matches well with furniture and the color of the walls, but dining rooms, hallways and kitchens are also suitable options. 

It should go without saying that it’s not a good idea to place hardwood floors in rooms with high moisture levels, like bathrooms and laundry rooms – and that goes for hickory as well. You can, of course, seal the floor, but that’s a different topic.  

Pros and Cons of Hickory Flooring

Pros:

Durability: With a whopping 1820 Janka rating, it is one of the most durable commercial flooring options. 

Uniqueness: Vivid grains and color variations mean that no two boards look exactly the same.

Adds value: Hickory flooring can increase the resale value of your home due to its desirability and durability.

Cons:

Cost: While it’s not the most costly option on the market, it’s still more expensive than some other hardwood options like pine, ash and birch.

Maintenance: The sophisticated grain pattern can be challenging to repair or refinish if damaged. 

Installation challenges: Due to its hardness, installation can be more difficult than with softer woods like pine and cedar.

Closing Thoughts

All things considered, hickory is a great choice for its combination of durability and unique character.

While it comes with its challenges, particularly in terms of cost and installation, it’s still one of the best and most popular flooring choices for a multitude of reasons.

Whether you’re renovating a rustic cabin or updating a chic urban loft, hickory flooring offers a blend of toughness and beauty that few other flooring options can match.

So, if you’re ready to make a solid investment in your floors, hickory might just be the wood you’re looking for.