The flooring that you install into your living areas is a key component of both your home’s aesthetic and structural integrity. When going through the available options for this area for your home, you must keep in mind all the factors that your potential selections will bring to the table. In today’s market, there are tons of types of flooring to choose from, all of which bring their own sets of benefits and unique features. With that being said, even with all of the possible options that homeowners have in their midst, most tend to choose red oak flooring and for good reason. Red oak flooring comes in a variety of colours and styles, and each of them are affordable, durable and long-lasting. If you are interested in possibly purchasing red oak flooring for your home, here are 5 further benefits that this type of flooring has to offer.
Colour
Oak is available in a range of hues, from light beige to brown and red. The same tree can show multiple hues during its life. The inner heartwood is often darker than the outside sapwood, however this is not always the case. Heartwood and sapwood are frequently the same hue, whereas oak darkens over time. When exposed to UV radiation and oxygen, it takes on a more amber tint. With that being said, one of the advantages that red oak wood provides over other hardwoods is its ease of staining. This feature allows it to lighten a space with its light hue or be as dark as walnut wood. Its ability to be readily stained allows the buyer to select from a variety of colour possibilities. Most other common woods do not stain as easily and need you to live with the hue of the wood.
Density
The Janka hardness test measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear and red oak wood definitely exceeds the expectations of this evaluation. Oak, more especially red oakwood, is a thick hardwood. The examination results in red oak wood being 1,290 Janka. Red oak wood has a higher density than other popular hardwood floor species such as black cherry, black walnut, and yellow birch. This variety of oak wood is more resistant to scratching and denting than other popular wood flooring options due to its hardness. With its ability to not scratch or dent as often as others, red oak wood would last for a while, which would save you both time and money.
Maintenance
Another benefit that red oak wood brings to the table is its need for maintenance, which is not high. The amount of upkeep necessary for oak varies depending on how the wood is polished and the amount of traffic on the floor. Having said that, if the wood is properly sealed, it can survive large levels of moisture and typically outperforms other popular hardwood floors that homeowners tend to consider. Furthermore, if you have engineered red oak wood flooring, keep in mind that it will survive moisture exposure better than solid wood planks. So, if you have the option to purchase engineered red oak wood flooring, it is recommended by professionals that you choose that option because of the various beneficial features that it has to offer.
Stability
Stability in flooring relates to the wood’s responsiveness to moisture levels by shrinking or expanding and having said that, oak wood is very stable. Red oak wood specifically, is one of the most sturdy choices among the most common wood floorings in today’s hardwood flooring market. This type of hardwood does not stretch and contract as much as hickory or maple wood flooring. Because of this, you would not have to worry about your hardwood being affected by spillages or leaks of water from any source in your home. You will have one less thing to worry about and that is very helpful, especially as a homeowner.
Increased Home Value
The long-term value of hardwood flooring is worth the cost that you pay when you first purchase the item, according to most homeowners and professionals. The longevity and simplicity of upkeep of hardwood flooring will decrease cleaning and repair expenditures in the long run, which is extremely helpful towards both yourself and your home’s value.
Prospective homebuyers dislike carpet, especially carpet that belongs to someone else because they are easily stainable and they attract and contain all kinds of dirt over time. That is why oak wood flooring and underfloor heating are highly sought-after features in real estate. These kinds of features in flooring may considerably increase the sale speed of your home, if you plan on selling it and moving to a different home in the future.
The flooring that you choose has a great impact on various aspects of your home. Your selection of the floors for your home can heavily affect your home’s aesthetics, structural integrity and future value. With that being said, throughout the process of choosing the flooring for you and your home, you must do your research and indulge in the information of all the types of floors that are available on the market. If you are having a bit of trouble deciding which type to choose, the safest and most common option that most homeowners tend to lean towards is red oak wood. Red oak wood is one of the most popular hardwood floors that homeowners like and it is for good reason. Red oak wood provides a number of benefits that include its colour, density, low-maintenance, stability and ability to increase a home’s value. By choosing red oak wood for your home, you are setting yourself up to face less problems as a homeowner both in the short and long term.