Oak is the king of hardwood floors for a reason. It’s an incredibly durable wood that only gets better with time. … Prime grades of oak are very cleanly cut and achieve a contemporary and clean look, while more rustic cuts of oak will have lots of knots and a variety of grain pattern for a more antique appearance.
Do oak floors scratch easily?
Hardwoods such as oak, maple or birch are denser, so they resist scratches better than softwoods. These woods are ideal in high-traffic areas, such as your kitchen or living room, where furniture is often slid across or dropped on the floor.
What type of wood is best for hardwood floors?
The best hardwood floors are made with wood species that are readily available and — you guessed it — very hard. Oak flooring, maple flooring and cherry flooring are all good choices. Other species include bamboo (which is actually a grass), walnut, ash and mahogany.
Is oak The best hardwood?
For most hardwood lovers, oak and maple are the top picks when it comes to hardwood flooring. Both are popular and durable, available in solid and engineered forms and many different types of finishes.
Are oak hardwood floors durable?
Both Oak and Maple floors are considered among the most durable wood floors and can last for generations. … Oak is slightly less hard – White Oak has a 1360 rating and Red Oak a 1290 rating. Both Red and White Oak are considered to be strong and highly resistant to scratches and dents.
How long does oak flooring last?
On average, a hardwood flooring finish lasts approximately ten years. But with proper care and maintenance, it can last much longer.
What is the most scratch resistant hardwood floor?
Selecting a floor such as Hickory, Hard Maple or White Oak can protect your floor from damage, as these hardwoods are less susceptible to scratches than softer woods like Pine, Cherry or Black Walnut. Hardwoods with more dramatic grain patterns can help to hide scratches more easily.
What is the hardest wood for floor?
Generally speaking, the hardest wood for flooring is Ipe (or Lapacho). However, this is very hard to find, due to its rarity. This also makes it a very expensive flooring product. Therefore, more widely available, and hardwearing are Hickory and Maple flooring.
What is the most popular hardwood floor?
Type of Wood
Of the domestic wood species, oak (red and white) is the most popular, although not the hardest. Hickory and maple are harder than oak and are ideal for active homes. Pro tip: Bamboo has achieved some popularity in the last couple of decades, but it’s technically a grass, not a wood.
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Which is better hickory or oak?
Hardness and Durability
As the hardest domestic wood, hickory obviously outshines both red and white oak in terms of durability. Softer woods may dent or scratch beneath careless footfalls, but hickory is more likely to withstand the abuse. This makes it an ideal choice in homes with a lot of activity and traffic.
Which is better red oak or white oak floors?
If you appreciate a strong wood grain pattern, you’re going to love red oak flooring. Red oak has a much stronger graining than white oak, which appears smoother. Overall, the strong graining of red oak also helps hide scratches and dents that may occur, which is perfect for busy households with kids and pets.
What wood is harder than oak?
Maple is harder than oak.
Harder woods can be susceptible to decay, while softer wood resists it. Where you use the hardwood is more important than its density and hardness. Differing sub-species of each variety also play an important role when considering the choices between oak and maple.
Why is oak flooring good?
Oak is the king of hardwood floors for a reason. It’s an incredibly durable wood that only gets better with time. … Oak flooring also comes in a variety of natural shades, from limed white to natural to very dark, and can be easily stained to suit whatever room it will reside in.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of oak wood?
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Disadvantages:
- high tannin content and exposure to wet and cold weather can react with oil finishes.
- very heavy wood.
- thin oak veneers can be difficult to protect as finishes can react with adhesive used in the veneering process.
Are oak floors expensive?
One of the most popular types of hardwood flooring is oak wood. … Red oak flooring will cost about $2 to $6 dollars per square foot, while white oak will cost about $5 to $8 dollars per square foot.
Is oak cheaper than maple?
Maple is slightly less expensive than oak, with an average price of $7 to $11 per square foot for materials and installation. In some cases, you could pay $15 or more per square foot.