A room’s fireplace is frequently its focal point. A wooden floating mantel — if it’s attached to some contrasting material such as stone, brick or tile, or to the drywall above the fireplace can add an element of style and character to a room. Homeowners can select a species of wood to match their personal preference, but hardwoods, generally, make much better mantels because of their durability. Every species of hardwood contains distinct properties and benefits.

Cool Cherry

Fruit trees, such as cherry, are not as durable as some other hardwoods but comprise a distinctive red color.

Magnificent Mahogany

A medium-to-dark brown wood, mahogany is incredibly durable and can be polished to a gloss that’s like no other species of wood.

Perhaps Maple

A lighter brown hardwood, maple has tightly packed grain; some breeds of maple are considered among the hardest domestic woods.

Hail Hickory

Darker than maple, hickory features very straight grain lines and is so durable it’s used in tool handles and baseball bats.

Otherwise Oak

A gently colored hardwood, oak features a distinctive grain pattern and is extremely durable.

Expensive Exotics

Hardwood species from around the world such as ebony, and granadillo, are usually more costly than other hardwoods but offer various colors and patterns that can’t be matched by other species.