I guess my original msg did not get posted - I am trying to decide between beech or birch hw floors throughout the home -it will be installed in place- I hear the dimensional stability of beech is poor - should i be concerned ?- i luv the look of the lighter woods and maple maybe an option as well as its more popular -I don't see much around beech or birch hw floors any reason? and most folks tell me oak or maple is the way to go - don't want to make a mistake since it is my first home - i understand its a personal taste thing but i just want to make sure if i pick beech - i will be getting quality wood... Limited in my knowledge here so any advice is appreciated. -thanks much
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My preference -- which comes from woodworking -- is always for birch. Beech is great if you need a really solid, dense wood, but the grain pattern is totally boring and won't give you a rich finish. It is often used in hand tools such as planes or handles where you need the strength.
Birch is a great wood, durable and full of nice grain patterns. The only thing to watch with birch is that you get darker areas with the sap wood (some people like this), and it can be tough to stain if you are going dark. Here is a link on finishing birch that may help:
http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Successfully_staining_birch.html
Not sure if birch is durable enough for flooring, but then I've got old Douglas Fir floors in my 1917 house and they are great (though prone to dings).
GRT
Birch is a great wood, durable and full of nice grain patterns. The only thing to watch with birch is that you get darker areas with the sap wood (some people like this), and it can be tough to stain if you are going dark. Here is a link on finishing birch that may help:
http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Successfully_staining_birch.html
Not sure if birch is durable enough for flooring, but then I've got old Douglas Fir floors in my 1917 house and they are great (though prone to dings).
GRT
