Why Installing White Oak Floor In A Kitchen Preferable?

A type of flooring that is constructed from a single piece of wood that is a mix of several different tree types or species is called solid hardwood flooring.

It is one of the most popular wood flooring options across the world though being on a little expensive side. There are many species of solid hardwood available, and the most apparent one is oak hardwood flooring.

In this blog, we will see why people prefer to install white oak flooring in their kitchens. Follow along!

But before we go into the details, a fact that you must know is that hardwood is preferred by the majority of people across the world. And that is solely because of the features that this particular species of wood flooring provides.

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Types of oak hardwood floors

Before moving on, let us learn about the different types of oak hardwood flooring.

Red oak hardwood flooring

Many people choose red oak flooring because it is a similar but distinct species to the more common white oak.

True to its name, red oak can be anything from a faintly rose-tinted yellow to warmer amber tones over a brown background. Red oak’s natural tones make it seem cozier and more inviting than other kinds of wood.

When compared to white oak, red oak has a more open-grain pattern. It is also more undulating, even zigzagging, at points.

This distinctive grain pattern further enhances the red oak’s striking appearance. The intriguing grain pattern not only looks great, but it also does a great job of concealing dings and scratches.

Using the Janka hardness scale, red oak rates at 1290, which indicates a moderately high level of hardness. Despite its lesser rating compared to white oak, is always preferred for its attractiveness and coziness.

This species has also been the most common in previous years.

Pro tip: Because of the overall moisture-resistance features of this particular wood type, hardwood flooring in the kitchen is a preferable option for people across the world.

White oak hardwood flooring

White oak is a type of oak that is widely used for flooring in both new construction and interior design projects.

White oak is more muted in tone than other oaks, and even within the species, there is very little variance in color from plank to plank. As a result, white oak typically features uniform grain patterns and coloration.

You may find everything from a pale yellow to a deep amber brown here.

Note: European white oak flooring, differs from American white oak flooring in terms of grain patterns and color patterns as well.

White oak is more compact and has a straighter grain than other oaks. White oak is preferred by many homeowners because of its cleaner look. It is adaptable to a wide variety of design aesthetics thanks to its softer texture.

White oak is slightly more durable than other types of wood, with a Janka hardness of 1360. Because of this, it can withstand impacts that would normally dent other types of wood.

Because of this, white oak wood flooring is a good option for busy areas like passageways, lounges, and dining rooms. And because of its better moisture-resistant feature, people usually prefer white oak flooring in their kitchens.

Benefits of installing white oak flooring

● It is a tougher version of the two

On the Janka scale, white oak ranks somewhat higher than red oak in terms of its hardness (white oak is 1360 vs red oak is 1290). Because of this, it is somewhat more resistant to being dented than it would have been otherwise.

Please be aware that this should not have any bearing on the scratching. This is dependent on the kind of polyurethane or finishing that was applied.

● Has greater moisture resistance than the two

Because white oak has a tight grain and many of its pores are sealed with tyloses, it is more resistant to moisture and rotting than other types of wood. White oak is also known as American oak.

Since these regions are more susceptible to damage from water and the elements of nature, this species is utilized more frequently in the construction of boats in addition to front door jambs and saddles.

The water-resistant feature is an ideal choice for spaces that are more likely to be subjected to water and moisture, such as kitchens, powder rooms, and entry areas.

● It is easier to put colors or finishes on white oakwood

Sanding, staining, and refinishing white wood is just as simple as it is with red oak. To an experienced refinisher, the difference between refinishing white wood and other types of oak is negligible, even though white oak is slightly tougher than other types of oak. Both species go through the same steps in the staining process.

White oak offers greater versatility in terms of stain colors and blends than red oak do due to the absence of the pink undertone that characterizes red oak.

You can go as dark as you want or as light as you want, or wherever in between. English oak floors are overall darker than American oak floors. But, that does not mean that you can’t be able to stain them.

Hence, these are some of the reasons behind people choosing white oak flooring for their kitchens.