Red Oak flooring has been a popular flooring choice for many years. Its hardness, availability and affordability continue to make it a popular choice. It is available as solid Oak flooring or as engineered wood flooring.

Color and Appearance

The color of Red Oak is slightly redder than that of White Oak. The heart and sap wood are similar with the sapwood being slightly lighter.

The grain of Red Oak is slightly coarser and more porous than that of White Oak, making it slightly weaker than White Oak. Just as with White Oak, the cut of the boards plays into the appearance.

Plainsawn Red Oak boards have a flumed or flared grain; riftsawn’s grain is tighter and low figuring. Quartersawn boards have a flake pattern that is often referred to as tiger rays or butterflies.

Hardness and Sturdiness

Red Oak floors have a Janka Table hardness table rating of 1290, slightly below White Oak flooring. Red Oak is dense and resists wear and tear, which make it a good flooring choice.

Red Oak Flooring

Interior of cottage galley-style kitchen with oak floor

Red Oak, like other wood floorings, benefits the homeowner in many different ways. In addition to the natural beauty it brings the home, wood flooring also adds these characteristics:

* Lessens allergies: Because allergens like mold, mildew and germs have nowhere to hide and breed, there are less of them in the home. People with allergies typically see a large reduction in allergy attacks in homes with hardwood floors.

* Adds warmth and beauty to the home. Red Oak flooring adds warmth. Unlike laminate and tile that are cold to the touch, Red Oak is warm and inviting.

* Added value. Adding Red Oak flooring to the home adds value. If and when the time comes and the house is going to be sold, prospective buyers will look at the floors. Carpets tend to have stains or show wear and tear; wood flooring remains beautiful without having to be replaced.

* Easier to care for and maintain than carpet. Spills and stains on carpet require special cleaning. Spills on wood floors require little more than a quick mop.

Caring for Red Oak flooring and maintaining its natural beauty is simple. Taking preventative measures early will keep repairs in the future to a minimal. Preventative measures include:

* Placing rugs or floor mats in high traffic areas;

* Keeping pet’s nails trim;

* Placing furniture protectors on the bottoms of furniture;

* Cleaning spills up as quickly as possible;

* Vacuuming often to keep the dirt and grime from accumulating.

These preventative measures will keep Red Oak flooring from being damaged and make the beauty last for many years.

In the event of severe stains, Red Oak flooring can be sanded and refinished to repair the stains. In the case of engineered flooring, individual boards can be replaced by a professional installer if necessary.

Red Oak flooring is a popular, economical wood flooring choice for many homeowners. It adds value and warmth to the home and is appealing for uses in virtually any room.

-Sharon V. Chapman

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