Are some woods considered too soft for flooring?
Pine, poplar, sassafras and certain other “softer” hardwoods can be good choices for flooring depending on your tastes and needs. There are White Pine floors still in use today in New England that are over 300 years old. They do show the nicks and dings of age, but this just adds to their character, history, and patina. Pine, poplar and sassafras are by no means as hard as Oak, but the worn character that can occur during normal flooring use will in no way shorten the lifespan of the floor. If it is important for you to maintain a new and unblemished appearance, then you should consider a hardwood with a higher janka rating.
