Hickory is a beautiful multi color domestic hardwood starting from a whitish to a reddy brown. Due to the variations on the different colors you can also get a larger variation in the grain. You can get a grain that that shows more of the natural knots and sap pockets giving you more color variation which would be your rustic look. Then you could get a more refined look less color variation and less grain for a more contemporary look. Although Hickory floors are beautiful make sure you get to see exactly what the floor will look like and you are happy with the variations that are in the floor you are looking for.

Hickory is 50% harder than oak at 1820 on the Janka scale. At this hardness level hickory does not stain very easily. Also when it comes to sanding it is very difficult it has a tendency to fuzz that is difficult to remove. So at this point a prefinished floor is easier to deal with. Let the large manufactures make the floor smooth.

Hickory also needs to dry properly because it does shrink tremendously after it is harvested. If Hickory is not dried right you will have a lot of issues with your floor. You can help this from happening if you acclimate the wood in your home. As long as you are careful with the acclimation process on your hickory your floors will be beautiful for years to come.