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rdwood flooring is the most common type of flooring in the United States and is seen in the majority of homes in Westchester NY. Oak can be stained darker, but below are some pictures of natural oak without a stain. Oak has a strong graining pattern as you can see below. 
Maple flooring is a great option for those that prefer less graining than what you see in oak. Maple is also a bit lighter in color. Some of my customers prefer maple over oak because it looks a bit more sophisticated and modern while other customers prefer oak because it has more character. 
Bamboo flooring is becoming increasing popular for a number of reasons. First, it's a green product - it grows very rapidly and replenishes in the environment every 5-7 yrs. Second, it looks so chic. It's a hip and modern twist, and many of my customers feel it's a welcome change vs. the oak they see everywhere. it's a fun and simple way to add some flair and style to their home. 
Birch flooring is the 4th and least common option. Yellow birch looks similar to maple as it has less graining. It's slighly softer than oak and softer vs. maple hardwood. It's usually less expensive than maple as well. However, because Birch is not that popular, only a few brands make it including Mirage and Mercier and they tend to be on the more expensive side. Birch often has more color variation across planks, esp when it doesn't have a stain.
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15 Comments on Light colored Hardwood flooring in Westchester NY
Debbie- what experience do you have with bambo? I've seen a color I love in it locally, but only on display, not in actual use...
Before I redo the floor my question is will it stand up to my dogs and cats? A good friend has actual hardwoods and well they look like crap with her indoor dogs...
any advice?
Debbie, more great information; thanks.
Debbie
I didnt know about birch. You just seem to always inform us of new things
One of the agents in my office recently had new bamboo floors put down throughout her home along with an entire bamboo kitchen. It is simply stunning. So fresh. Birch floors were very popular in 1920s and 1930s craftsman homes, especially in Southern California. That's what I had in my San Diego casita. Thin plank width, light and lovely as well, but the down side was that it was soft and didn't wear as well.
Debbie - Like Tammy, I am always concerned with how well flooring stands up to my three fur babies. As beautiful as wood flooring is, I just find it hard to believe that it is durable enough for pets. Is there any wood flooring durable enough for pets.
Debbie...I thought red birch was an expensive flooring.....one house that we just finished in one of the subdivisions had red birch flooring.....it was not a good look....it had alot of sections of different color through it....I didn't like it....maybe the builder didn't like it either because he charged them an extra few dollars/ s.f.....
Tammy - Great question. You can read this post on bamboo. All that aside, oak is a safer bet, esp w/ dogs, because all hardwood will dent over time and the oak will hide it a bit better. (same with hickory).
Tish - Thank you. I appreciate that.
Scott - Cool. Glad I'm sharing something new.
Ed - Thx for sharing that info. I'm not surprised about the birch not wearing well. It's a bit softer than oak, and because there isn't much graining, it would show all the wear.
Donne - Yes, I do think you can get hardwood with pets and hardwood is the norm here in my area and majority of my customers have pets. With pets, it's more important to have wood with strong graining such as oak or even a hickory (which looks similar to oak, but a bit more rustic and often more color variation). The stronger graining will hide the scratches more. (Hickory, BTW might be a better choice since it's harder 1,800 or so on Janka scale vs. 1290 for Red Oak). Also, if you like the style, a handscraped or distressed hardwood works well w/ pets - again - it hides the scratches. Also, I would try to get solid hardwood or an engineered hardwood that can be refnished multiple times. Oh, and prob. lighter stained - will show the scratches less. I guess I need to do future post on this.
Barbara - I'm not a huge fan of birch. On the one hand, I feel the graining is a bit bland, and as you mentioned there can be large color variation in planks. It tends to show the denting/scratching more because it's softer and doesn't have the strong graining like oak to hide it. Yes, in general, it's more expensive than oak. And, the brands that tend to sell it are on the pricey end.
Good Morning Debbie, another excellent post, thank you for the input on light colored flooring.
Debbie, Excellent wood primer! We've loved our red oak floors for over a decade!
I am amazed at how quickly the bamboo has become so popular. Another informative post!
Dan - You're welcome
Bliz - Good, I'm so glad to hear that.
Debra - Thank. Yes, it's amazing. It's really picked up, esp these last 2 yrs. I have people asking me about it all the time now. Oh, and great talking to you yesterday.
I am truly floored by all your flooring knowledge. If I was in the Westchester area, you'd be the only one I'd call for all my flooring needs.
Beautiful light color floors, maple and bamboo are my favorite for this selection. I like the look of pine as well but just to soft.
I find that light colored flooring shows fewer scratches and dings than the darker stuff.
Craig - Thx. Wish you were here. LOL.
David - Yes, pine can be nice too - has a bit of a redder tone. You're right, it rather soft and yesterday I really saw some beat up pine - tons of dents. I should have taken a picture. Good blog topic. Thx for the idea.
Jay - Yes, that is very true. First, I think in general it shows scratches less - just from the nature of the scratch. Secondly, for these woods their natural color is light, so when you have a scratch though the color, the underneath part is similar in color. If you stain oak dark, then when you have the scratch through the color, then it shows the light color wood underneath.