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You have questions, we have answers. Explore the most frequently asked questions about Ash wood flooring below. Need assistance or want to know more? Contact Carlisle or call 800-595-9663 today to get all your inquiries answered.
Ash is a popular choice for hardwood flooring. Durability is one of its greatest advantages – Ash floors are quite dense and durable yet have unique elasticity. They are known for their stability and are less likely to warp or shrink over time than other hardwoods. Ash flooring can be finished in many different stain colors to fit almost any design. Aesthetically, Ash is a lighter wood with strong prominent grain that provides a great deal of visual interest. The disadvantages of Ash stem from the fact that in many parts of the U.S., Ash trees are being decimated by the Emerald Ash Borer, an exotic beetle that feeds on the inner bark of Ash trees. Consequently, Ash may be harder to source, making it a bit more expensive than other types of wood.
Ash has natural and neutral hues that range from very light blonde to cream-colored to rich nutty brown. With meandering grain that runs from fairly straight to beautifully swirling patterns, Ash has more flair and personality than some other species.
Explore and select from our gallery of our most popular finishes, specially categorized by the personalities and traits of the floor designs.
ExploreWide plank Ash wood flooring is a surface made from floorboards that are much wider than traditional commercial floorboards, which usually range from 2¼” to 3” in width. In contrast, wide plank floorboards come in widths of 4” to 20”. A floor with wide Ash planks will have far fewer seams and joints, creating a less busy feel that more fully reveals the personality of the grain in each plank.
Ash is an excellent choice for hardwood flooring. Its strength and durability make it less prone to wear and dents. Ash floors can be finished with a natural stain to preserve the beauty of their lighter hues or stained with a wide range of colors to meet the needs of an interior design scheme.
The cost of Ash and Oak floors are roughly the same. Oak may be a bit more affordable as it is readily available, while Ash may be harder to source because of an invasive beetle that has decimated old-growth trees in certain parts of the country.
Ash is a highly durable wood. In Norse mythology, the Ash tree was known as the “mighty tree that supports the heavens.” While Oak is not as elastic as Ash, still offers great durability.
Ash is a very elastic wood. Rather than cracking, it will expand and contract as conditions change, making it a good choice for larger, open spaces. Natural Ash hardwood flooring can easily absorb shocks and is often used in high-traffic areas.
Ash is a durable hardwood species with a Janka hardness rating of 1320. However, with a hardness rating of 1820, Hickory is among the strongest hardwoods that are typically used for flooring and is highly resistant to scratches, dings and dents.
Engineered Ash floors are made by gluing a thin layer of Ash to multiple layers of backing material. This multi-layered structure provides a more stable core than a solid hardwood Ash floorboard, allowing a floor to perform better in places with higher levels of moisture and humidity.
In addition to sweeping and vacuuming, one of the best ways to clean Ash hardwood flooring is with a little vinegar and water. Mix 1 or 2 ounces of white vinegar with 2 gallons of water and apply lightly. The natural acidity in the vinegar will strip away many contaminants and dirt from the floor. For deeper cleaning, consider a product like LOBA Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
With few tannins in the wood and a naturally light tone, Ash is one of the easiest hardwoods to stain.
As you consider the pros and cons of Ash flooring, the design consultants at Carlisle Wide Plank Floors are always available to help you explore your options and choose the best surface for your needs. Our Wide Plank Specialists are experts at grasping your vision for a space and translating it into the right choice of wood, color, texture and structure. At Carlisle, you’ll find the Ash flooring that is the perfect reflection of your sense of style.
