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Oak Flooring: Aesthetic Elegance for Contemporary Houses

The use of oak flooring lends charm and elegance to dull flooring in general. Very few floors can offer as much value in durability, beauty, and overall worth. Knowing what the choices and perks are, along with the requisite upkeep – this allows homeowners to make better decisions regarding this high-end flooring option.

What Makes Oak a Popular Option

The use of oak in British houses dates back centuries, and rightfully so. The exotic wood has grain patterns that vary and develop unique characters over time, something that any synthetic substitutes fail to accomplish. Each plank has its own story, enriched over time with unique knots and grain features.

Besides the looks, oak flooring is very functional because of its added strength. Even in the busiest households in the United Kingdom with oak floors, foot traffic is simply part of everyday life for decades. A testament to this material’s durability is showcased in the form of over hundred-year-old buildings that still feature original oak floors.

Varieties of Oak Flooring

Deciding on which form of oak flooring to use, whether solid or engineered ones, depends on many factors:

Solid Oak Flooring is made from single pieces of oak all throughout. These planks are 18-22mm thick and can be sanded and refinished several times. Solid oak is best suited to places with constant levels of humidity and temperature. This type of flooring usually costs between £45-100 per square meter depending on grade and finish.

With engineered oak flooring, real oak top layer is removed from high-quality plywood or softwood bonded base layers. This feature provides excellent stability, which allows these types of floors to be used on underfloor heating systems and on places with changing levels of moisture. This type of flooring usually costs between £35-80 per square meter.

Grades and Finishes

Oak flooring has a variety of different grades that affect its appearance. These include but are not limited to:

Prime Grade is clean and has a consistent colour but comes with a few knots.

Character Grade is more natural in appearance with more knots and variations in the grain.

Rustic Grade accepts the full character of oak with prominent knots, variation in colour and unrefined markings.

These affect the appearance of the floor and the effort that goes into maintenance:

Oiled finishes go deep into the timber, enhancing the grain and making it easier to repair damages. Maintenance entails the application of refresher oil every 12-18 months on average.

While being polished makes wood surfaces easier to maintain over time, repairs must be extensive if that layer is damaged.

Smoked and brushed treatments get deeper tones of colour by accentuating the grain patterns.

Some Factors to Keep in Mind During Installation

The highest quality of oak flooring is done professionally and is recommended. It is, however, the subfloor that truly has all the impact with regards to the oak flooring.

Concrete sub floors require moisture probing and may need a damp proof membrane while wooden subfloors need to be level along with being structurally secure.

Another important step is Acclimatisation. The wood should stay for at least 7 days in the room it will be installed before being subjected to the temperature and humidity of the environment allowing for complete adjustment.

The various techniques for installation include:

Free floating floors are installed above a certain surface without being anchored down.

When being subjected to underfloor heating, glue down steps can be used.

Secret nailing allows solid oak to be mounted onto joists and battens. It also allows for more orthodox methods.

Caring for Oak Flooring

With the correct form of care, oak flooring can last a lifetime. Regular sweeping or vacuuming helps in scratch prevention from dirt and grit, while cleaning spills on time prevents stains and water damage.

You should only use steam cleaners that pH neutral, as others might damage your hardwood floors. Felt pads provide protection for the wooden floor against scratches, while entrance mats keep dirt from the outdoors isolated.

Oak flooring can be economically advantageous for anyone who is looking to save money. European oak is sourced from managed forests that have sustainable logging techniques. Oak flooring is less frequently replaced than synthetic alternatives, which saves resources over time.

A lot of manufacturers have begun using oak flooring that is sourced from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) suppliers which guarantee sustainable claiming and building policies.

Getting oak flooring is not only getting an economical flooring solution but also adding a piece of beauty and enduring quality to a house.

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Hallway Flooring

When deciding what type of floor is appropriate for each room, think about how frequently that area will be utilised and how low maintenance you’d like the place to be.

We instinctively identify particular flooring kinds with particular rooms, but modern production techniques provide a great deal of variety, with some products even imitating the appearance and traits of other flooring types.

Just because the hallway of your home typically normally gets the most traffic, the flooring needs to be durable and low-maintenance.

Since it will be the first area that visitors see, it must function well to set the tone for the remainder of the house.

Choose black and white checkerboard tiles for a timeless period design. Patterned porcelain and ceramic tiles will offer a classical attractiveness.

A different choice that allows for some creativity is painted flooring; one popular fix is to use the same colour on the stairs and pair it with a carpet runner.

For good durability, think about solid or engineered bamboo flooring or poured concrete for an ultra-modern appearance.

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Bathroom Flooring

The bathroom is a well-used room, so the flooring you decide upon needs to be hardwearing, functional and water-resistant. You could opt for a ceramic tiled floor or vinyl sheet flooring. Ceramic tiles are easy to clean and will last a long time, but they can be pretty expensive, and you need to think about the grouting between the tiles, which may not be as hardwearing as the tiles themselves. Vinyl sheet flooring is more affordable than ceramic tiles. It offers many more colour options, but it can be more difficult to keep clean.

If you want your bathroom to look stylish, you could choose laminate wood effect flooring or even a tile effect laminate wood flooring that looks like natural wood but doesn’t require sanding or staining if it gets scratched. If you decide upon wood effect flooring, then make sure that an expert installs it – cheaper versions of this flooring often use materials that are not strong enough for bathroom use.

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Tiled Kitchen Floor

Tile flooring is durable and can withstand heavy loads (such as kitchens and bathrooms) without showing signs of wear. Tiles are well suited for kitchens and bathrooms because they are one of the easiest flooring materials to maintain. The look and durability of tile have come a long way in recent years, allowing it to work well in many other rooms in your home.

Ceramic floors are very resistant to physical damage, but cracks can occur due to improper installation or problems with the tile subfloor. Some ceramic floor tiles can be quite heavy, and all tiles need a hard and robust floor frame to avoid cracking

If you would love the look of a wood floor in your kitchen but need a safer option, porcelain tile will give you exactly the look you want without any risk. Porcelain stoneware is also ideal for damp environments and areas that require constant cleaning, such as kitchen floors.

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Stone Flooring in the Kitchen Part 2

Following our Stone Flooring for the Kitchen Blog Part 1, we are pleased to present Part 2.

In Part 1, we looked at slate, travertine, sandstone.  In this blog, we will look at Marble, Granit and Limestone.

Marble: Just all-natural stones, marble must be sealed before use and have this sealant reapplied regularly.  Marble, like travertine, is susceptible to staining, so we recommend cleaning up any spills immediately to avoid any potential damage.

Granite: A hard, heavy and unforgiving stone that must be laid on a perfectly even surface that is strong enough to hold its weight.  If there are any bumps or tiny valleys within the surface it is laid on it will crack very easily.

Limestone: Limestone comes in various colour choices and is ideal within high traffic areas, like kitchens.  A sealant must be used at installation and reapplied regularly.

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Stone Flooring in the Kitchen Part 1

Natural stone tiles have been popular as kitchen flooring for centuries.  Stone tiles bring colour, natural texture and warmth to a room that other flooring options don’t. They are super durable, making them ideal for heavy traffic areas like the kitchen.

In this blog, we will look at Slate, Travertine and Sandstone.

Slate Tiles: These are usually duller and have an uneven look but are a perfect choice if you are looking for a non-slip surface.  They come in various colours and patterns, meaning you can choose from a rustic or modern look.  Slate is also more stain-resistant than other times and is highly durable. 

Travertine: Travertine has natural holes within it, created during its formation.  To protect the stone, you need to have it sealed before grouting and again after its installation.  If not treated, it will absorb water and stain.

Sandstone: Sandstone is a relatively soft stone that will scratch and dent over time from pet’s claws, high heeled shoes or things being dropped onto it by accident.  If you have your sandstone polished, it can be highly slippery. 

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Which Bathroom Flooring Materials are the Most Waterproof?

When choosing new flooring for bathrooms, you will want to consider what types of materials are going to be the most waterproof, because let’s face it, that floor will get wet. Especially if you have children, bathroom floors need to be able to handle water.

Waterproof Bathroom Flooring Materials

• Ceramic and porcelain tiles- are the most popular. They are beautiful for flooring materials and are naturally waterproof. Porcelain is especially lush but may have less variety than ceramic tile options.

• Natural Stone- is a very elegant and durable yet pricey choice. The downside is that sometimes they can be a little slippery when wet.

• Luxury Vinyl Tiles- will be a softer and warmer option that is waterproof and typically come in long planks.

One thing to remember with the first two options is that they can be hard and cold under foot, without the floor being heated, so be sure to keep that in mind. However, these three options are all great at resisting moisture in bathrooms and will look great.

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Why Choose Granite Flooring?

Stone flooring is an excellent choice that give a timeless look to your home. One very popular type of stone flooring, is granite. Granite is a very dense and strong igneous rock that makes it ideal for high-traffic areas. The durability and versatility of granite makes it quite popular in kitchens and bathrooms as it can also be coated with an anti-slip grit that will help prevent slips and falls, when wet. The main draw back for some, could be cost, the fact that granite is quite a heavy material and the maintenance could be tedious.

The beauty and long-lasting appeal of granite is undeniable as it comes in several colours and sometimes crystals can be added to the surface to add a bit of shimmer to it. It is a fantastic choice for any home, especially in kitchens and bathrooms due to its resistance to spills and stains. Not to mention, it also is a great way to add property value.

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Tips on Choosing New Carpet

When considering new carpet, you can get overwhelmed with all the different options in texture and colour so it is good to learn a bit about the options and where they are most suited. To help you, here are a few tips and examples.

First, think about your lifestyle.

1. If you have a young family or a family with pets you will most likely want a hard-wearing carpet with a forgiving colour. Some options could include a textured loop pile or a quality hard-twist cut. Loop piles have many variations: formal, linear or textured.

2. If you are more concerned with luxury, a plush pile in a flat colour may be more to your liking. Plush piles are very soft, dense carpet.

3. If you entertain a lot, a combination cut and loop pile in a mid-to-dark tone or a stippled cut pile may suit. The combination has contrasting textures and are less likely to show footprints.

Darker colours are cosier whereas lighter colours make a room feel larger. You can also choose a combination of two colours for a more neutral feel. Colour also fades over time, so choose a couple shades darker than you want for future and the fibre type can also affect the colour you get.

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5 Eco-Friendly Flooring Options

As people adopt a more sustainable mindset in their everyday lives, one way to contribute is considering eco-friendly options when it is time to replace flooring. If your floors are looking worn and it is time to make a change, here are some of the best options for a ‘greener’ flooring approach.

1. Bamboo- is technically a grass but can be worked into hard-wearing floorboards and looks similar to natural hardwood but takes a quarter of the time to grow compared to hardwood trees.

2. Cork- comes from the bark of the cork oak tree which is harvested without harming the trees then ground up, compressed and formed into sheets bonded with resins.

3. Reclaimed Wood- is timber that has been salvaged from another property and can be reused.

4. Reclaimed Tiles- are an excellent option of tiles that can be purchased and reused and can range from simple to ornate encaustic designs.

5. Linoleum- is made from natural linseed oil and woodflour. It may seem ‘retro’ but is having a massive comeback with a large range of choices in patterns and designs. It even includes marble, stone-look and flecked patterns.

Whilst oak and pine are not necessarily considered one of the most eco-friendly options, they are significantly better to use rather than rare or exotic hardwoods which are much slower growing and more difficult to replace.

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