Everyone knows that oak is a beautiful hardwood, but not everyone realizes how versatile it can be. Oak flooring comes in many different styles and colors, including the traditional-looking herringbone pattern. This type of flooring was once only found in formal rooms like libraries or dining halls, but today has become popular for any room of your home where you want to create an elegant look with classic charm.
If you're having a hard time deciding on what flooring material to use for your home, in this blog post, we'll talk about the different features of oak herringbone flooring and why this floor is the best option for your living spaces.
Why Use Oak Wood for Your Floor?
There are endless options for the wood material you can use when it comes to hardwood flooring. Different woods have different properties and color hues that can match your preferences and make the interior of your home sophisticated. Some types of wood include maple, cherry, birch, and exotics like the African blackwood or agarwood.
Among the varieties of wood, why do homeowners prefer oak? Here are some of the properties of oak wood that make it an excellent flooring option.
Attractive wood grain
Oaktree is commonly found in the northern hemisphere and has more than 600 species growing in different areas. Each of these variations has different wood grains, patterns, and color schemes. You can find an oak that suits your style, from darker browns and tans, to reddish shades. White oak is also available if you like bright and clean-looking oak herringbone tiles.
Durable material
There is a popular saying that an oak tree takes 300 years to grow, live, and die. That's why even in ancient times, oak wood was already a popular material when it came to home construction. With proper conditions and proper maintenance, oak wood flooring can last between 30 to 50 years.
Additionally, oak wood flooring is heavy, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. This wood can withstand wear and tear that makes this flooring excellent on entryways, living rooms, and hallways. You can even use this as a deck for your balcony.
Water-resistant properties
Compared to other wood flooring materials, oak has the highest water-resistance properties. This wood is dense and has a non-porous surface that repels water. If you place oak wood flooring in humid conditions, it will take 15 to 20 years before the water ruins the quality of the wood. If you want to keep your flooring intact and strong, you can coat it with water-repellent chemicals.
Everything You Need to Know About Oak Wood Herringbone Flooring
Now that you have your wood, you can decide on the type of flooring. Herringbone is a timeless and classic style that dates back centuries. The arrangement of the herringbone flooring is inspired by nature. You can easily spot this style because of the distinct arrangement of the tiles that closely resembles a fishbone.
This type of parquet flooring is good for rooms with a big floor area because the wood brings out the elegance of your interiors. If you're interested in herringbone, here are some of the things you need to know about this type of flooring.
Installation
When it comes to solid hardwood flooring, it requires the skill of professional workers to install it properly. But the oak herringbone flooring installation can be a DIY project. Since this wooden floor is heavy, it doesn't need adhesive to stay in place on some occasions. Instead, some manufacturers create floor planks with a click-system for easy installation. All you need to do is snap them together to create seamless flooring for your home. No special tools are required.
Other installation processes of herringbone flooring can require special tools, but specific environmental conditions are also needed. For example, when using adhesive, the subfloor should be dry. This is because water can weaken the glue that will cause your floor to be unstable. In cases like this, contractors pour cement to trap the moisture from the humid subfloor.
Smooth surface
Oakwood has a smooth surface, so dust or other allergens won't stick to the floor. A daily sweeping of the floor is enough to make it clean and shiny. To keep its appearance, you can polish it with a floor wax which also helps in repelling water droplets and protects it from getting stained.
Additionally, since this is a natural type of flooring, it doesn't shrink during the cold season and is warm underfoot. Alternatively, when it's summertime, it does not expand—expansion could cause your flooring to become uneven.
Maintenance
All kinds of hardwood need maintenance to keep its beauty. When you opt for hardwood flooring, you must spend time and money on its maintenance. All types of wood are susceptible to scratches: you can restore its appearance, but it will require professional help. It’s also important to reseal your floors every few years to avoid moisture from affecting the flooring’s lifespan.
Alternative
It's common knowledge that hardwood flooring is expensive. So if you're on a budget, it might not be wise to blow all your funds on flooring. If you want that hardwood flooring look for your home, it’s possible with oak herringbone flooring laminate. Laminate flooring is made with a strong plastic material compressed together with an image layer in between.
Laminate flooring allows you to achieve ceramic tile designs, natural stone floors, and the wooden floor designs of your choice. In addition, these laminated flooring planks are completely waterproof and significantly cost less than genuine hardwood flooring. So if you're looking to beautify your home within a budget, this is your perfect bet.
It’s Good Wood!
The exciting thing about being a homeowner is getting to design your dream home, and wooden floors will give that sophisticated, warm, and welcoming feel to your living space. And if you're overwhelmed by the different styles, stick with the traditional oak herringbone flooring. Oakwood will surely perk up your home and impress every visitor that walks through your doors.
For more flooring inspirations, you can check our blog reviews and flooring guides so you can achieve that gorgeous interior of your dreams.
June 16, 2022
