hanohiki / Getty Images
Hardwood floors have been wildly popular for centuries, and for good reason.
Beyond sheer practicality, hardwood floors are also beautiful additions to both traditional and modern homes.
What Is White Oak Flooring?
hanohiki / Getty Images
White oak is a domestic hardwood, meaning it’s grown in North America.
In recent years, white oak has surged in popularity.
White oak is more water-resistant than red oak, which comes as a result of the grain difference.
White oak is a closed-grain wood, which refers to the cell structure of the wood grain.
On the other hand, red oak is an open-grained wood.
This translates into red oak being more readily absorbent than white oak, whether it be stain or water.
While no hardwood flooring is waterproof, white oak has a slight advantage over red oak.
This effect is even further enhanced when oak is paired with a low-sheen finish.
The most common “hardwood-like” alternatives arelaminateand engineered, with the latter being closest to the real thing.
When shopping for engineered hardwood, look for options with a thick wear layer.
The thicker the hardwood layer, the more refinishing potential the flooring has.
This translates to a longer lifespan for the floor.
For amateur and experienced DIY enthusiasts alike, this process may seem easy enough.
Acclimation
One of the biggest mistakes hardwood flooring installers make is skipping the acclimation process.
What Is Equilibrium Moisture Content?
At this point, the wood has fully acclimated to its environment.
Acclimation is necessary for laminate and engineered varieties of white oak flooring, as well.
Some engineered wood flooring options require as much as 7 days of acclimation.
Failure to properly acclimate engineered hardwood floorscan result in gaps after installation.
Always consult the manufacturer’s instructions for recommended acclimation processes and timelines.
Hardwood has been a gold standard in the flooring industry for years for a reason.
In fact, the majority of downsides related to hardwood flooring come as a result of improper installation.
When weighing the pros and cons of white oak, always consider the source and the context.
For instance, white oak is a very hard material, which leads to its durability and long life.
However, white oak’s hardness can also lead to cracking when not properly installed and supported.
What Is a Janka Rating?
Like any other hardwood flooring, white oak shouldn’t be exposed to moisture for long periods of time.
It can be installed in a traditional, straight line or arranged in patterns such as herringbone.
Wide, narrow, and medium-width planks are available, furthering the customization possibilities.
White oak’s neutral color and closed grain allow it to accept a variety of stains easily and evenly.
Is White Oak Flooring Right for Me?
So, how do you know if white oak flooring is your best option?
White oak flooring is a great pick for anyone who’s considering installing hardwood flooring in their home.
It’s a time-tested material that often outlasts those who install it.
As long as your budget allows, you’re able to’t go wrong with white oak.
Consider your overall vision for your interior’s look, then install your white oak to match.
If you’re worried about white oak’s hardness, don’t be.
For the ultimate money-saving white oak alternative, consider laminate flooring.
Though there’s no white oak involved in laminate flooring, modern laminate options make for a realistic imitation.
On average, hardwood flooring installations cost $4,723.
White oak flooring is highly durable.
However, white oak isn’t as hard as maple, hickory, pecan, and Brazilian cherry.
White oak flooring and oak flooring in general remains the most popular hardwood flooring material.
Hardwood flooring installation cost(2023 data).
Retrieved November 29, 2023, from Angi website: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-hardwood-flooring-cost.htm
