Abc Of Oak Flooring Every Home-owner Must Know

Since ancient times, oak is well-known as one of the strongest tree species and, once harvested for its wood, one of the most durable, beautiful and functional types for floors, beams and walls for man-made structures. If you have the budget for it, oak is the best choice when it comes to flooring material.

Before logging on to a site that sells oak wood for building purposes, it is still a good idea to gather as much information as possible about oak. At the very least, you have the background information needed to choose, install and then care for your oak floor the right way.

A - About Oak Wood:
The most commonly used oak varieties are the white oak and the red oak, both of which have beautiful grain patterns. Both are dense, stiff and with high shock absorption as well as highly resistant to wear, nearly impervious to insects and other pests, and incredibly resistant to cracks and splits. However, white oak is considered superior to red oak in terms of hardness and impermeability to liquids.

Also, oak wood has an open grain, which means that it has relatively large pores. Manufacturers must fill it with paste filler and, thus, give its surface a fine finish.

Because of these excellent qualities, oak is an expensive wood. The good news is that it offers good value for your money because of its longevity. Take the case of the oaken shrine of Edward the Confessor that still stands to this day since 1066 A.D. and you have an idea of just how durable oak wood can be.

B- Benefits of Oak Wood:
From the above mentioned discussion about oak, we can deduce many benefits from using its wood as flooring materials. These benefits include:

It provides great character to the room because of its beautiful grain patterns characterised by distinctive burls and swirls. No matter your choice in the look of a room, be it classic or contemporary, oak flooring lends itself well to both looks. Its beauty can also last for years and years with little maintenance, which cannot be said about carpets, rugs and other floor coverings.

Its longevity is exceptional. Keep in mind that oak is virtually impermeable to water - oak was used by the British Navy in its ships before ironclad came along - such that it can be used in areas with high spill incidents. Think kitchens, dining rooms and even entryways to bathrooms. It is also highly resistant to insects, fungi and other pests that shorten the lives of other tree species. Add in its high resistance to splitting and cracking, thanks to its high holding ability, and you can enjoy oak floors for your lifetime and so will the next generations living in your house.

It is so easy to install. Choose from nailing, gluing or screwing in the oak planks and strips to the floor.

It is so easy to maintain, which will be discussed in the next section.

C- Caring for Oak Wood:
Caring for oak floors is very easy. First, avoid letting the wood into contact with items that can leave scratches, skids and other unsightly marks on its surface. Spiked high heels, shoes with heel taps, and other sharp objects should not be used on oak floors.

Furniture like tables and chairs must have floor protectors. Potted plants must also have protectors underneath. Place rugs and carpeting on high traffic areas especially on entryways so that dust, dirt and grit coming from the outside can be minimised.

Sweep the oak floors on a regular basis followed by vacuuming. Remove stains as soon as possible with the right cleaners.
Indeed, oak flooring is the best you can have so look into its many possibilities today.