While most domestic species like oak and hickory have a tan or reddish appearance, walnut flooring stands out by having dark brown to purplish black heartwood. Just as notable is the difference between the heartwood and the sapwood, a white to tan color. In its natural state, walnut flooring has a contrasting appearance, but uniformity – or a lack of – varies with grades.
Higher grades of walnut flooring have an overall dark appearance. Having no light color is not simply luck, however. In many cases, the lumber is steamed to create uniformity. During this process, the darker shade of the heartwood bleeds into the sapwood. If you are looking for walnut flooring, you will likely notice that hardwood with a "Select" or "Clear" grade is generally dark all over.
A greater presence of sapwood is found in lower grades. In general, lower grades like #1 and #2 Common and factory seconds display more character marks. These include knots, mineral streaks, and some color variation. The latter of these three is particularly true for walnut flooring. Because of a greater presence of sapwood, walnut flooring in lower grades captures the wood's natural color contrasts.
The unique appearance of walnut flooring makes it a draw in any room. Floors that are fully walnut often contrast from the rest of the space's décor. This darker-colored hardwood, as well, is used as an inlay material to create contrast when juxtaposed with lighter hardwoods.
If you are considering walnut flooring for your home, installation is straightforward and the wood presents no difficulties. With a Janka scale rating of 1010, walnut is durable and moderately dense and provides good shock resistance. The wood, not being too dense, is workable and ideal for sanding and machining. Even with grain arrangement similar to hickory, walnut flooring is not difficult to finish.
The contrasting appearance of hardwoods like walnut, hickory, and tigerwood should be preserved in finishing, and using a dark stain is not recommended, as the color covers up the lighter sapwood and gives the hardwood an unwanted look of uniformity. Multiple coats of clear polyurethane, sanded in between, are recommended instead.
Higher grades of walnut flooring have an overall dark appearance. Having no light color is not simply luck, however. In many cases, the lumber is steamed to create uniformity. During this process, the darker shade of the heartwood bleeds into the sapwood. If you are looking for walnut flooring, you will likely notice that hardwood with a "Select" or "Clear" grade is generally dark all over.
A greater presence of sapwood is found in lower grades. In general, lower grades like #1 and #2 Common and factory seconds display more character marks. These include knots, mineral streaks, and some color variation. The latter of these three is particularly true for walnut flooring. Because of a greater presence of sapwood, walnut flooring in lower grades captures the wood's natural color contrasts.
The unique appearance of walnut flooring makes it a draw in any room. Floors that are fully walnut often contrast from the rest of the space's décor. This darker-colored hardwood, as well, is used as an inlay material to create contrast when juxtaposed with lighter hardwoods.
If you are considering walnut flooring for your home, installation is straightforward and the wood presents no difficulties. With a Janka scale rating of 1010, walnut is durable and moderately dense and provides good shock resistance. The wood, not being too dense, is workable and ideal for sanding and machining. Even with grain arrangement similar to hickory, walnut flooring is not difficult to finish.
The contrasting appearance of hardwoods like walnut, hickory, and tigerwood should be preserved in finishing, and using a dark stain is not recommended, as the color covers up the lighter sapwood and gives the hardwood an unwanted look of uniformity. Multiple coats of clear polyurethane, sanded in between, are recommended instead.
SHARE
