We’ve talked to countless homeowners in and around Collinsville, Belleville, Caseyville—you name it. We talk about hardwood flooring and other kinds of flooring, we talk about handyman services and painting. And on our blog, we hash out even more specific questions, like how to choose the right wood species for your hardwood flooring.
Today, we’re going to get into a topic that’s even more detailed. We recently received a question about oak floors, and this type of wood flooring is so popular that we decided it deserves its own article.
Oak is not only the most popular kind of wood flooring in residential homes, it’s even more popular in Illinois. See why it’s so popular, and decide why you think we like it even better here.
Here are the top three things to know about oak flooring—especially if you live nearby.
1. There are actually two types of oak flooring: red or white oak
Red oak is popular among oak floors because it stains well. Naturally, it provides a warm, reddish glow that shows through even cooler stain applications.
White oak is a little softer on the Janka Hardness Scale, which is something to take into account if you have kids or pets (or klutzes) at home.
2. The grain pattern of oak is especially open
The different classifications of wood grain measure whether it has a more rustic or a tighter look. Rustic grain will have more knots, which is true of most oak due to its more open pattern.
3. Oak floors are strong and can be refinished normally
Once you finish an oak wood floor, it falls smack dab in the center of the Janka Hardness Scale (along with most hardwood flooring). With this durability, oak can be refinished and re-stained normally. All the other benefits of hardwood floors apply here, too, like the ease of keeping oak floors clean and its hypo-allergenic qualities.
Finished oak floors are also resistant to moisture and fungus. Take care of your oak floor, and it can last for decades.
Curious to learn more about oak flooring? Chat with us right here on the website.