Oak flooring that was laid centuries ago is still going strong in many homes and structures around the world. Oak floors maintain their strength and color for years and years and they blend inviting warmth with long-lasting durability that many people find very appealing.
If you want to transform your home into a modern-day, warm and dramatic dwelling then you should take a serious look at solid oak flooring. Oak floors are quite easy to maintain and clean and they can take the daily abuses that live throws its way as it is very hard wearing and robust. Oak flooring is the flooring of choice for those who are looking for a feeling and sense of permanence-be it in a home environment or an office setting. Oak flooring adds an air of class and sophistication to any room as well as adding strength, as it withstands daily usage remarkably well.
If you are unsure of the difference between solid oak flooring and engineered wood flooring, the difference is really quite simple. Engineered flooring is made by bonding a layer of solid wood-the top layer, to a base made of plywood. This type of flooring is not greatly effected by humidity and can be installed in a basement, ground floor or top floor levels. The solid oak floors are made from one piece of solid oak and it is available with a variety of finishes such as brushed, oiled, lacquered, or unfinished. A solid oak floor is advantageous in the fact that it can reduce dust within a home, it is very durable and robust and it will always look beautiful. The disadvantages to solid wood flooring is that since it is a natural product, it can change dimensionally if subjected to a lot of variations in heat, moisture and humidity. Solid flooring must be installed using a type of flexible adhesive so that the floor is able to adapt to these temperature and moisture variations.
A wood floor adds an incredible amount of warmth and charm to any home. Not only is it very easy to care for but it is hypo-allergenic and environmentally sound. Adding wood flooring to a home can greatly increase its resale value and make the home’s interior appear much more welcoming.
When selecting wood flooring, keep in mind that not all hardwoods are equally hard. In rooms that get heavy foot traffic, the harder woods like oak, maple and ash make the most sense. Wood flooring comes in widths ranging from strips under three inches wide to planks. If you decide to install a custom floor, planks can be cut to any width you choose and the width of your boards are all dependent upon what type of look you are after.