Oak Flooring - Discover the timeless beauty of oak

Oak Flooring Types

Oak flooring is probably the most popular choice among consumers. This wood just conjures up images of grandeur and strength bound in an innate sense of style. This wood has even achieved the title of " America’s National Tree." Available in an array of hues from light brown through to a more reddish brown, this wood has an open and long grain pattern.

In the United States oak flooring is most available in Red or White Oak. Both are quick drying, hard, and sturdy woods. Due to the hardness of oak flooring, the panels are often a challenge to work with and tools have to be kept sharp to produce the best results. It is also because of this "hard" characteristic that any nails or screws have to have pre-tapped holes.

Types of Oak Flooring

Classic Grade: Deemed the best quality wood - why you may ask? Well the boards and panels offered under this grade would be void of natural imperfections such as knots, wormholes and stains. All attention is purposefully drawn to the grain, which is heavy and defined. This grade is expensive because only a small portion of a tree can provide spotless timber.

Natural Grade: This is a middle of the range grade where the wood still holds some knots. Ideally this grade is preferred by those who still like the wood to retain some natural character. Panels and boards are often void of any other imperfections and shakes. With regards to color; the wood has a brown shade with lighter and darker hued areas scattered intermittently. Color is mostly light to mid brown with occasional lighter or darker hues.

Rustic Grade: This is one of the lower grades. Wood classified under this grade holds many natural attributes such as: knots, cracks, stains, wormholes and burrs. Many argue that such features bring the wood to life and that all in all it gives a room character. In terms of color the wood is light to rich brown with high variations and contrasts.

Oak Flooring Extras

Oak flooring can also be Wire Brushed. After sanding a wire brush is run over the surface - this is to remove any of the softer grains, while at the same time enhancing the wood's natural appearance. The result also is a texture that gives an aged look to the timber.

It is also common to find wide board flooring. Oak of this type is often prefinished with up to four or five coats of lacquer. This finish is developed form synthetic resins and is classed as being "UV-cured." The result is a satin appearance that is stylish and elegant.

For those who cannot afford the purest form of this remarkable wood's beauty and strength all is not lost. You may want to consider looking at laminate wood flooring, which is becoming more and more popular with the younger professional generation.

 

 

 

 

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