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Oak floor: discover its pros and cons for your projects

Choosing a wood floor for the home or office can be a bit challenging. Many people prioritize aesthetics, some prioritize durability, and some prioritize budget. However, among the different types of wood flooring, oak flooring stands out for its versatility.

Thanks to its elegant finish, warmth and natural beauty, oak hardwood flooring is in high demand in Washington and Oregon. In addition, oak flooring is widely available in stores and warehouses. It is no wonder that oak is a popular wood flooring in the United States for all types of properties.

So, if you want to learn more about the characteristics of oak for decorating your home, keep reading! As Canada Floors Depot, the most recognized distributors of flooring materials in Canada and the United States, we will present you the pros and cons of oak flooring. Get informed to make the best decision. Let’s get started!   

Characteristics of oak wood floors

Oak wood is known for being very durable, moldable and easy to stain. In fact, there are more than 60 varieties of oak of different looks and colors in the United States, most notably red oak and white oak. However, all oak wood flooring options are optimal for decorating and flawless finishes. 

Learn more about the different types of hardwood floors in this link.

1-How hard is oak wood?

Is oak a strong wood

If you are thinking of redoing or adding new flooring to your home, oak is a hardness standard. According to the Janka rating, the different varieties of oak range from 1290 to 1360 points. So… is oak a hardwood? The answer is yes. Therefore, an oak wood floor is a good choice for high-traffic homes.

Maple vs. oak floors

Oak or maple. Which is better? In terms of hardness, maple wood is one of the hardest wood species (1450 in the Janka classification). However, the wood from this tree is more expensive because of its density and is often used in high traffic areas such as offices or shopping malls.

Oak vs. pine floors

According to the Janka scale, the hardness of pine wood varies. Depending on the species, the score ranges from 380 to 1630. In this sense, pine wood is multipurpose, although it is not usually used for flooring, as softer species are prone to knocks, dents and scratches. In short, is oak a stronger wood than pine? The answer is yes.

Oak vs. birch floors

In the case of birch wood, its hardness index (1200 to 4000 on the Janka scale) is higher than that of oak. Therefore, this species is classified as a hardwood  and is ideal for outdoor flooring installations or with more rustic finishes (compared to the elegance of oak).

2-Is oak a strong wood?

Is oak a strong wood

The answer is yes. The strength of oak is the industry standard for flooring installation (although white oak wood is slightly harder than red oak wood). In either case, both options are very resistant to damage and age.

Not sure how to choose a hardwood floor for your home? Find out how here!

3-Are oak wood floors durable?

Absolutely. An oak wood floor is more resistant to rot, fungus, insects, cracks and general wear and tear. Even white oak does not absorb liquids. These high quality floors can be installed both outdoors and indoors without fear of damage from the elements.

4-The variety of colors of oak flooring

Oak wood exhibits a wide range of colors, from light beige to brown to red. The same tree can even exhibit different colors throughout its life. Compared to other hardwood flooring species, oak can be easily stained and polished.

5-Stability and patterns

The stability of oak flooring is second to none compared to other types of wood. It is worth noting that oak does not shrink or expand as much as hickory or maple floors. In addition, oak wood has quite unique and decorative grain patterns. There is nothing more satisfying than a sleek, hard floor like oak.

6-Maintenance of oak flooring

Maintaining an oak floor is fairly straightforward. As with most wood floors, exposure to moisture or spills is not recommended. To clean, a microfiber mop or a wood floor cleaning spray is all that is needed. Also, do not leave heavy objects on the floor that could cause dents.

7-Is oak wood expensive?

Not at all. Oak wood is so popular and sought after because of its affordable prices. Compared to other wood flooring, oak is cheaper. However, prices may vary according to the demand for the product or according to the species of oak (red oak or white oak)

Oak flooring: pros and cons

The benefits of oak flooring are many, but there are also certain drawbacks you should be aware of to make a smart purchase. While oak wood floors have been a best-seller for decades for installations or remodels, there are always small details you should evaluate.

For this reason, the experts at Canada Floors Depot have prepared this small comparison chart to clarify your doubts:

Advantages of oak floors Disadvantages of oak floors
Luxurious, sophisticated and elegant appearance.Long durability and resistance to wear, cracking and fungus.Low maintenance. Just sweeping and light damp mopping is all that is needed.Designed to resist moisture (not prolonged).Increases the value of a property.Variety of colors, shades, patterns and luminosities at your disposal.Environmentally friendly. The production of oak flooring leaves a smaller carbon footprint compared to other types of flooring. Tendency to discolor under direct sunlight.Easily scratched if heavy or sharp objects are dropped.Vulnerable to spills and stains.Very traditional and common design in all homes (in case you are looking for more original flooring).Lack of sound insulation. Wood floors are very noisy, and oak is no exception.  

High quality oak flooring at Canada Floors Depot

Now that you know the pros and cons of installing oak flooring, apply this information! As you’ve read, oak wood floors offer many aesthetic and structural advantages, but they also have some drawbacks. So choose wisely according to your plans and budget

Now, if you need professional advice or are looking for a reliable flooring store, we are what you are looking for! At Canada Floors Depot you’ll find the best Canadian oak flooring. But there’s more! Our warehouse offers you an extensive catalog of flooring, materials, equipment and flooring accessories.

We are backed by more than 20 years of experience and dozens of satisfied customers. In addition, we handle the most prestigious brands and flooring products, and we are leaders in the Canadian and American market! Don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team will be pleased to assist you.