Oak floors have so much going for them – they’re durable, easy to care for, beautiful, and affordable when compared to imported hardwoods. It’s no wonder that oak is the most popular choice in America for wood flooring. And when you add up all the advantages, oak provides great value for money.
No matter what your home is like — traditional or modern, large or small — chances are that it will look even better with oak floors. And they’ll increase the value of your home too – both now, and in the future. Although nontraditional woods like pecan or walnut can create a dramatic appearance, oak goes with every décor, and it’s liked by almost everyone. If you ever resell your home, oak flooring will make it more desirable to many buyers.
You can buy oak in a wide range of finishes, so you can use it regardless of whether you want light or dark floors. It comes in strips as narrow as 2-1/4″ and as wide as a foot, and in glossy, satin, or matte finishes. If you want a more rustic look, hand-scraped or distressed boards are available. Quarter sawing really brings out its beauty.
Oak is available as solid or engineered wood flooring, and it can be installed almost anywhere. Use solid wood over wood sub floors and engineered product over concrete.
You’ll find your floors easy to maintain. And with the right care, they’ll last for generations.
Some of the other advantages of oak are its natural resistance to fungus, insects, and pests, And when it’s properly finished, it resists liquids too. Just be sure to wipe up any spills quickly.
Things to consider before installing oak flooring.
Any wood, no matter how hard, will scratch, and oak is no exception. Dog claws, furniture, and high-heeled shoes are especially likely to scratch your floors. The good news is that it’s not hard to prevent this kind of damage. Area rugs in high-traffic areas will help a lot.
To prevent damage from furniture, you should place pads underneath the feet or your furniture. And don’t slide it – pick it up to move it. Never wear high heels, athletic shoes like cleats, or other spiky shoes on your floors. And place door mats on the outside of your front and back doors, and throw rugs inside them.
Direct sunlight will fade your floors, so in order to keep them from fading, rotate your area rugs periodically. Otherwise you’ll find that the flooring under the rug is darker than the exposed wood.
Depending on the finish that was used, oak floors can darken or yellow over time. This is a characteristic that many people find attractive. If you’ve seen 100-year-old oak floors, you’ve probably admired the beautiful patina that has developed.
Once you’ve compared all the advantages and disadvantage, you’ll probably agree that oak flooring would be a great improvement that would enhance the appearance of your home and increase its value.
