Birch Hardwood Flooring
Scientific Name: Betula spp.
Other Names and Species: The type of birch most commonly used for wood
flooring is yellow birch (betula alleghaniensis). However, sweet birch (betula
lenta) and paper birch (betula papyrifera) are also frequently used for
this purpose. Sweet birch is sometimes called "black birch" or "cherry
birch." Paper birch also goes by the names "white birch," "canoe birch,"
and "silver birch."
Origin: North America
Appearance: The sapwood of yellow birch ranges from pale white to creamy
yellow, while the heartwood tends to be a light-reddish brown with a red
tinge. By contrast, the sapwood of sweet birch is light-colored, whereas
the heartwood is dark brown with a red tinge. Birch wood has an even
texture with a straight, closed grain. Occasionally, boards may show
curliness in the grain as well as some wavy figuring. It is among the
most featureless of all North American hardwoods; but with its natural,
pleasing figure, it makes for very attractive furniture and flooring.
Birch has a small degree of luster, making it seem almost dull in
appearance.
Properties: Birch is a very heavy, strong, durable wood. It is hard and
stiff, with excellent shock-resistance.
Janka Hardness: Birch species range from the upper lower end to the
upper middle-range of the Janka hardness scale. Paper birch is 910, nine
percent softer than teak. Yellow birch is 1260, comparable to white oak
(seven percent softer). Sweet birch is ranked at 1470, which is just one
percent harder than hard maple.
Workability: With its good machining qualities, birch wood sands
satisfactorily and has excellent holding ability when nailed.
Principal Uses: In addition to wood flooring, birch is commonly used in
furniture, veneers, interior finishing, windowsills, cutting surfaces,
drumsticks, violin bows, and wooden novelties.
About our Hardwood Floors - Designed For You
Our products are designed and manufactured in California for the Southwestern USA market, which has specific requirements with regard to the moisture content of the floor when compared to other countries. This is due to the drier climate of California and most areas in the Southwestern, USA that creates very distinct seasons with low average levels of humidity. This differs from many of the products sold within the Southwest, which are made to more a general specification for moist climates within the global market and cannot perform well in most drier Southwestern conditions.