Heart Pine
Engineered heart pine planks usually cost $1.50 to $4 per square foot. Also called longleaf pine, this type of wood is durable and dense with a defined grain. Heart pine is naturally darker and takes a dark stain well, offering a vintage charm. With a Janka score of 1,225, it works well in areas with lots of foot traffic, such as a dining room, living room, or children’s play area.
Hard Maple
Engineered maple planks usually cost $3.50 to $6 per square foot. This popular flooring choice has a Janka score of 1,450 and is great for families and high-traffic areas. It can be difficult to finish, but the unfinished wood ranges from creamy white to a rich reddish-brown. You’ll find maple planks that can be fastened, glued down, or glued together.
White Ash
Engineered white ash planks usually cost $5 to $6 per square foot. This wood varies in color from cream to grayish-brown, with grain patterns that hide imperfections well. The beautiful light colors work well in sunlit rooms. With a Janka score of 1,320, it can handle many types of traffic. However, it often boasts lower installation costs thanks to being easier to cut.
Acacia
Engineered acacia planks usually cost $3 to $8 per square foot. Acacia wood contains natural wax for a veneer that repels pests and water, making it less likely to warp. Its color varies significantly from light creams to dark browns, and its interesting graining is popular in rustic and Colonial designs. It’s also right in the middle of the Janka scale, with a score of 2,220.
Brazilian Koa
Engineered Brazilian Koa planks usually cost $4 to $9 per square foot. The warm orange hue and high-contrast dark brown wood grain give it a distinctive striping, leading to its common nickname of tigerwood. It offers a bold look and a Janka score of 2,160.
Brazilian Cherry
Engineered Brazilian cherry planks usually cost $5 to $9 per square foot. Brazilian cherry is a great choice if your home gets a lot of foot traffic, with a Janka score of 2,350. This exotic wood features deep red-brown tones that can really warm up the look of a room.