Jun 17 2009
Natural Oak Flooring
Natural Oak flooring is a better option than carpet or laminate for longevity and beauty. In today’s economy, longevity of materials is important. Saving money in the short term doesn’t’ make much sense if the flooring has to be replaced in a few years. Natural Oak flooring remedies that. It is an inexpensive option that doesn’t’ have to be replaced as quickly as other options.
Natural Oak flooring is a popular choice due to its cost, durability and beauty. It is a traditional wood that has been used as flooring for hundreds of years and continues to remain so today.
Natural Oak flooring can be purchased as solid oak flooring or as engineered flooring. It can be pre-finished in a variety of colors and glosses or it can be installed then finished according to the homeowner’s tastes.
Engineered or Solid Natural Oak Flooring
The choice between solid oak wood and engineered oak wood flooring is a matter of personal taste. Solid Natural Oak flooring is very durable and can be less expensive than engineered Natural Oak flooring.
Interior of cottage galley-style kitchen with oak floor
Engineered Natural Oak flooring is more costly than solid Natural Oak flooring but is more resistant to heat and humidity than solid wood flooring is. This makes engineered Natural Oak flooring a better choice than solid for bathroom installations.
Natural Oak Flooring Styles
Homeowners can choose the style and coloring of their Natural Oak flooring to match their décor and personal tastes. Pre-finished textures include Hand Scraped Walnut and Hand Scraped Antique. There are also other options available such as Brushed, White Oiled, smoked, aged, or distressed. Each has its own special effect on a room. Homeowners can ask for sample pieces for decision making.
Natural Oak flooring can vary in color, from whitish with a gray tint to reddish with swirl patterns. It can also be stained any color desired, from beautiful, light natural colorings to deep, dark formal colorings.
Engineered Oak Flooring
Engineered Natural Oak flooring is also available in a variety of finishes, including lacquered, oiled and unfinished. It can also be stained and finished just like solid natural Oak.
Caring for Natural Oak Flooring
With the proper care and maintenance, Natural Oak floors will last through many generations of families. If repairs need to be made, they can be made easily using a professional floor installer.
Natural Oak is not the hardest flooring available, there are exotic woods that are much harder; however, it is a durable, long lasting wood that can be maintained and kept beautiful.
Protecting the floor from scratches and dents is the first step to making the floor last for many years. Using rugs and floor mats in heavy traffic areas keeps dirt and grime from being ground into the floor and causing scratches and gouges. If there are pets in the home, keeping their toenails trimmed will help prevent them from scratching the floor.
Natural Oak flooring is a flooring choice that has stood the test of time. It has been in homes for many hundreds of years. It remains a readily available flooring choice for today’s homeowners and will continue to be a sturdy, long-lasting option for the future.
-Sharon V Chapman
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