I get a lot of questions about our hickory hardwood floors and how they’ve stood up over the years with dogs and a busy family. I wanted to answer the most common questions in one place. If you have more, leave a comment and I’ll add them to the list.
1. What kind of flooring do you have?
We installed Mohawk Natural Hickory hardwood flooring. These prefinished hickory planks have a lot of natural character and variation, giving the floor a warm, dynamic look without any staining.
2. Did you mix light and dark stains to get that mixed wood appearance?
No staining was involved. The beautiful contrast comes from the natural hickory grain—each board is unique, and the variation is part of the appeal.
3. Was the flooring finished on site or prefinished?
Our floors were prefinished, which made installation much cleaner and faster compared with sanding and finishing on site. Prefinished hardwood reduces disruption and drying time during installation.
4. Are the floors hard to keep clean?
Not at all. Hickory is surprisingly low-maintenance. Like any hardwood, regular sweeping and occasional mopping are needed, but these floors show dust and dirt far less than darker hardwoods. The natural grain hides everyday debris well, so you can go longer between deep cleans while still keeping the floor looking good. For general care, a gentle hardwood cleaner and a soft broom or microfiber mop work best.
5. Do your wood floors scratch?
All hardwoods can show surface scratches over time, especially in a home with pets. That said, hickory is one of the hardest domestic woods and has held up very well to daily wear in our active household. The color variation and distinct grain patterns help conceal minor scuffs and scratches, making them less noticeable than on more uniform woods.
6. Are your stairs hickory as well?
Yes—our staircase was updated to match the hickory flooring, and it ties the space together beautifully. The continuity of material from floors to stairs creates a cohesive look.
7. Any regrets about choosing hickory hardwood?
No regrets. After several years, I would choose hickory again. We recently added hickory to my home office, and I plan to replace remaining upstairs carpet with the same hardwood. The durability, character, and low visual maintenance make hickory a practical and attractive choice for family homes.
