Oak Floors Explained

Solid wood flooring is a great addition to a home. If you are wondering what type of wood is best, the most popular one is oak flooring, which signifies pure elegance and sophistication. Oak floors have a very long life expectancy, in which they will keep their amazing classic look for as long as they last. If you are intrigued by oak and you are considering it, here is some information about oak floors that proves how great they are and why they are one of the best materials available on the market.

Durability

As any other solid wood, the main advantage is that it lasts more than a lifetime, and in fact, oak is one of the strongest floors. Oak has a life span of 25 years minimum and resists not only time but also rot and decay as well as insect and pests too. So even though oak flooring is a bit pricey, it has to be seen as a long term investment that adds value to your house.

Style

Oak looks great whatever style it takes. The most common ones are solid, engineered and laminate.  Each has its own characteristics and while oak is very durable depending on the style, this durability will vary on different types of floor. To start with, laminate is synthetic and doesn’t have real oak but only the image of it. While it is very durable, it doesn’t have the same life span or authenticity as solid wood. Engineered will have a real oak layer on the surface, but the rest will be synthetic. This means that you can still can have real oak even with underfloor heating or in a place with a bit more moisture, as opposed to if you had real wood.

Eco-Friendly

Nowadays we have become more environmentally conscious, so we look for sustainable and more environment friendly solutions. So, if you are wondering if oak is good or bad for the environment, fear not, as there are measures that manufacturers have taken to sustain the oak forests. Retailers and manufacturers work closer than ever to avoid deforestation. How is this done? Every tree felled is replaced by a new one. If you want to make sure the oak floor you have purchased meets these guidelines, look if the floor has the FSC badge.

Health Friendly

We previously said that oak floor is good for the environment, but it is also hygienic for you and your house. Unlike other floors such as carpet, it doesn’t collect dust or dirt or other debris. Because of its finish that is quite stain resistant, an oak floor will be very easy to clean and maintain as well. Regular sweeping and vacuuming is all that is needed to keep the floor looking fresh and like the first day.

So there you have it – just a few reasons that prove how amazing oak floors are. They are surely an important purchase but they can help your house to stand up, and who knows, it may make it more attractive to prospective buyers!