Oak Flooring

Why Choose Oak Flooring?

Oak flooring is a popular choice for a reason, and it can be very obvious why when you see it installed in a home.

Real oak wood flooring adds a level of both strength and warmth while being a versatile option that fits with various interior styles from farmhouse to contemporary.

Not only that, oak adds real value to the home as most potential buyers will be drawn to the quality and warmth on arrival, and many estate agents agree that it makes a house much more saleable.

At Flooring365.co.uk, we’ve been supplying oak to customers across the country for many years. Our oak floors ensure you are getting a sustainable product that is great value for your home but also for the environment.

Where to Use Oak Flooring?

Oak wood flooring can be installed in all areas of the home although there are a few rooms that are more suited to timber than others.

• A living room will benefit greatly from the addition of real oak floorings, and using wider planks will create a feeling of openness in your room while still providing the space with durable flooring to withstand the furniture and messiness of day to day life.
• Kitchen floors also look great in oak so long as spills are dealt with promptly, as engineered options are particularly resilient and perfect for withstanding the occasional splash on the kitchen worktops while still providing an attractive alternative to tiled flooring.
• Bedrooms are another popular choice for oak as underfloor heating will ensure the floorboards are not too chilly on bare feet, especially if it is a darker or honey shade, and light shades will make a small room look bigger. Few things beat the feeling of being barefoot on freshly installed wood floorboards!
• Hallways and dining rooms also lend themselves well to this kind of flooring, and a worn, matte or brushed finish will be best in these high traffic areas that are likely to see more scuffing and general wear and tear.

However bathrooms and fully enclosed wetrooms are not suited to real oak wooden flooring. It is much better to choose a more suitable material such as tile or vinyl for these spaces, and leave the wood to other areas of the home.

Different Types of Oak Flooring

When it comes to oak, there’s more than one way to enjoy its natural beauty. Each type of oak flooring offers its own unique benefits, depending on your space, style, and practical needs.

Solid Oak Flooring

Solid oak consists of a single piece of timber throughout, and it is the traditional choice that is best suited to those who want to be able to re sand their floor multiple times to refresh the appearance and prolong the lifespan of their flooring.

Engineered Oak Flooring

Engineered oak flooring has a thin layer of real oak on top of a backing made of either plywood or other materials, and it is more resilient to changes in humidity and temperature making it ideal for kitchens and homes with underfloor heating.

Parquet Oak Flooring

Looking to make more of a statement? Parquet oak features small blocks of wood arranged in beautiful patterns like herringbone or chevron. It’s available in both solid and engineered constructions, so you can enjoy the decorative appeal of parquet without compromising on practicality.

No matter which type you choose, oak flooring brings warmth, character, and long-term value to your home.

How to Choose the Right Type of Oak Flooring

The right type of real oak flooring for you will come down to a number of factors such as which room it will be installed in, your budget, and how the floor will be used.

Engineered boards are the best option for kitchens and properties with underfloor heating, and the option to float the boards means it is also a good choice for concrete sub floors.

Solid floorboards are a good choice for older homes or if the room will see a lot of foot traffic as it can be sanded back multiple times to renew its appearance.

If you’re looking for a feature floor, wide planks and herringbone patterns in a lighter shade will make a fabulous feature in your room, whereas narrower planks in a lighter or natural shade will provide a more subtle appeal.

How to Install Oak Flooring

Fitting oak floorboards requires a little more expertise so it is best to leave it to the professionals. However, if you would rather attempt a DIY install yourself the fitting process is actually quite simple if you take your time with it.

Before doing anything, your boards should be allowed to acclimatise in your home for around 48 to 72 hours before anything else is done, to allow them to adjust to the temperature and humidity of your home.

Once this is done, your subfloor should be prepared, this involves ensuring it is flat and even, and any uneven patches should be sanded down to create a smooth surface.

The next stage is to lay out your underlay if you are using one as depending on the type of boards you have chosen, this may be a floating floor, glued down or directly nailed to the subfloor.

Your boards should then be installed in rows, with gaps being left at the ends to allow for expansion as the boards settle into their new space.

These expansion gaps should then be filled in by your skirting boards or another type of trim. It is important to take extra care when fitting your first few rows as a straight start will make the remainder of the job that much easier.

How to Maintain Oak Wood Flooring

Maintaining oak wood flooring requires following some basic tips like sweeping or vacuuming the floor regularly to remove any grit is very important as it will stop it from scratching the surface of the floorboards.

A damp mop can be used to clean the floor but it is best to ensure that it is not too wet, and that it is wrung well out.

Spills should also be cleaned up straight away to prevent any water damage.

In high traffic areas, rugs and mats should be used as much as possible, and furniture pads should be placed on the legs of any tables or chairs that will be placed on the floor to prevent any indentations.

Keeping a close eye on the condition of your pet’s nails will also prevent unsightly scratches.

FAQs

Is oak a good wood for flooring?

Oak is generally thought to be a good timber for flooring due to the fact that it is both strong and resilient, which makes it a popular choice among people who want to go for oak flooring in the UK.

What room types are oak flooring good for?

It is suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and dining rooms, while engineered boards are also well suited to kitchens, however it is not for bathrooms and wetrooms for that you can go for solid oak flooring.

What is the best thickness for oak flooring?

Solid oak boards are typically 18mm–20mm in thickness, although 20mm is considered the ideal thickness.

Engineered boards vary greatly in thickness depending on the depth of the real oak top layer but are typically between 14mm–21mm.

What is the difference between maple and oak flooring?

Oak tends to have a bolder grain pattern and warmer tones than maple, and is generally considered to be the more durable option.

What's the difference between solid and engineered oak flooring?

Solid boards are made from a single piece of real oak, whereas engineered boards have a very thin layer of real oak on a backing made from other materials, such as ply.

What is engineered oak flooring cost per square metre?

Engineered oak tends to cost anywhere between £25–£70 per m² (square meter) for materials, depending on the width of the boards, and fittings are usually an additional charge.

How do I maintain oak wood floors?

Vacuum regularly to remove any grit, and clean up any spills quickly, also rugs and mats should be placed in high traffic areas, and furniture pads on the legs of any furniture placed on the floor to prevent damage.

Keeping an eye on the condition of your pet’s nails is also a good idea, as they can scratch the surface of the floorboards.

Can oak wood flooring be refinished?

Yes, at Flooring365.co.uk we also offer services for both solid and engineered oak flooring to be sanded and refinished to renew their appearance.

Does real oak wood flooring expand or contract with humidity?

Yes, as oak is a natural hardwood timber it will expand and contract with the natural changes in humidity and temperature.

Do you provide free samples of real oak wood flooring?

Yes, we do offer free samples so that you can see the look and feel of our range of flooring uk options before making your purchase, and we encourage everyone considering real oak to take advantage of this option so that they can see how the light interacts with the floorboards in their home.

Which Type of Oak Flooring Is Right for You?

When it comes to oak, there’s more than one way to enjoy its natural beauty. Each type of oak flooring offers its own unique benefits, depending on your space, style, and practical needs.

Solid Oak Flooring

Crafted from a single piece of oak, this is the most traditional option. It’s full of natural charm, incredibly durable, and can be sanded and refinished many times over its lifetime. Solid oak is ideal for rooms where you want to make a lasting impression and is best suited to spaces without underfloor heating or extreme moisture.

Engineered Oak Flooring

Engineered oak combines a real oak surface with a stable, multi-layered base. It looks just like solid wood but is more resistant to changes in temperature and humidity. This makes it perfect for busy family homes, and it’s compatible with underfloor heating too. If you want that classic oak look with added versatility, this is a great choice.

Parquet Oak Flooring

Looking to make more of a statement? Parquet oak features small blocks of wood arranged in beautiful patterns like herringbone or chevron. It’s available in both solid and engineered constructions, so you can enjoy the decorative appeal of parquet without compromising on practicality.

No matter which type you choose, oak flooring brings warmth, character, and long-term value to your home.