Beech Wood Flooring

Fagus grandifolia

Sample is 3/4-by-2 1/4-inch square-edge solid strip.
Top portion is finished with water-base urethane;
bottom with oil-modified polyurethane.

Appearance

Color: Heartwood is mostly reddish brown; sapwood is generally pale white.
Grain: Mostly closed, straight grain; fine, uniform texture. Coarser than European beech.
Variations Within Species And Grades: Only one species is native to the United States. Moderate to high color variation between boards.
 

Properties

Hardness/Janka: 1300; 1% harder than Northern red oak.

Dimensional Stability: Below average (change coefficient .00431; 17% less stable than red oak).

Durability: Elastic, hard; excellent shock resistance. Wears well and stays smooth when subjected to friction - popular for factory floors.
 

Workability

Sawing/Machining: Difficult to work with hand tools, but good machining qualities.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.

Nailing: Good holding ability, but has a tendency to split.
Finishing: No known problems.

Comments: 
 

Cost

(relative to plainsawn select red oak)
Multiplier: 1.20
 

Availability

Availability limited.