Hickory Flooring

About Hickory

Carya Glabra, most commonly known as American Hickory, is considered to be one of the most important trees in the forests due to its unique blend of strength, stiffness, hardness and toughness. Hickory is split into two botanical groups: the ‘true’ hickories from the United States of America, and the pecan (fruit-bearing) hickories which are grown in Australia.

Hickory trees grow in most soil types providing there is good drainage. They can grow anywhere between 18 to 24 metres tall and span approximately 12 metres with a trunk that is roughly 1.5 metres in diameter.

Hickory Timber

With a coarse texture and a straight, wavy or irregular grain, hickory timber often features bird peck marks and mineral streaks, which add to its rustic appeal.

American hickory timber is quite hard to work with hand tools, machines and glue, however, it takes nails and screws well as long as care is taken to avoid splitting. Hickory is able to be sanded and polished to an excellent finish. When planning hickory, it is important to feed the wood at a slight angle to avoid surface chipping.

The hardness of hickory makes it extremely resistant to marring. It also holds stains and wax better than most other hardwoods, making it that much more water-resistant. The unique combination of strength, hardness and rigidity make hickory a distinctive timber, with properties not found in any other wood.

American hickory is traditionally used for tool handles, drumsticks, furniture, flooring, cabinetry, ladders, dowels and sporting goods.

Hickory in Flooring

The timber from the hickory tree is increasingly being used for flooring due to its rustic aesthetic and naturally-occurring hardwearing properties. It also features a lighter shade than many other hardwoods.

Hickory flooring is roughly 30% harder than oak, which is considered the industry standard for hardwood flooring. Hickory wood has wood grains, knots and mineral streaks on a single board, making it appealing for flooring. Hickory easily takes on many oils and stains with no record of it ‘bleeding’, providing that it is properly applied, sealed and maintained.

Hickory flooring is simple to maintain. It is recommended to clean hickory flooring with a dust mop, soft-bristled broom, vacuum cleaner, or a wood floor mop kit. Never use a wet mop or a steam mop as excess water can seep between the boards and cause damage.

As a flooring option, hickory is durable and rustic, making it ideal for the home or commercial spaces. This hard-wearing timber flooring option has an unmatchable texture that will complete any home. Hickory flooring is available in a number of lengths, widths and thicknesses, in both an overlay or flooring option, making it readily available for any flooring design.