Oak is a beautiful hardwood that has been used in America for hundreds of years. It provides unique grain patterns that can be woven into beautiful flooring. Oak can be expensive and is sometimes considered to be an inappropriate choice for low budget builders. There are alternatives that are less expensive and just as attractive.
Hardwoods like oak trees are native to North America. There are two types of Oak: the Western and Eastern. The Western Oak is much more rare than the Eastern. The Eastern types are lighter in color and have a reddish tint to the wood while the Western type is grayish brown and possesses deeper, amber colored stain.
The cost of Oak depends on where it is grown. Western Red Cedar is one of the least expensive types of Oak. It is also the least sustainable and therefore not advisable for a beginner to buy. People want something that has a rich, deep color that will last. Oak hardwood floors are usually made from young, suckling oak trees that have not yet reached the matured stage of growth. These trees produce sap and are therefore harvested when they are only a few days old.
Red Oak is an excellent choice. It is the most abundant type of Oak trees in America and is relatively easy to grow. The sap produced is less viscous, which makes it more environmentally friendly. It does not require replanting. Red Oak wood floors are very durable and have a warm, rich color that is very popular.
Even though it is less expensive than the white oak, the red oak trees produce the most solid wood. Because of this, they are generally used for flooring. In addition, they last longer than the white oak trees. White oak trees are known for their tendency to shift in the shape of their trunks, which makes it unsafe for some floors.
Hickory is known for its resistance to insect damage and is considered one of the most durable woods available today. It is resistant to decay and is resistant to termites, making it ideal for floors. The red hickory heartwood is considered the most desirable type of wood for floors.
Birch and mahogany are two of the other more common hardwood flooring options. Birch tends to be a little bit stronger than the oak, although both trees are very durable. They look great when finished with a layer of dark, charcoal. The bark of the birch tends to be straighter and smoother than the mahogany. Both types of hardwood floors are very durable, providing good protection to the feet while also looking great in a room. Birch can also add a rustic look to a home.
Hardwood floors are available in a variety of different colors. Oak and hickory are considered to be very durable and easy to maintain. The various hues also help to create a variety of different looks and moods in a room. Oak and hickory provide a high traffic floor that is very durable and is easy to care for.
Some furniture manufacturers use oak in the making of their high end, high style office furniture. Oak, walnut, cherry, and other woods are used extensively in making classic and contemporary style furniture pieces. Hardwood floors add a wonderful aesthetic value to any piece of furniture. The different types of woods are easy to maintain, which is why they are frequently used in high traffic areas. Many homeowners are more than happy to invest in oak furniture because of its durability, reliability, and affordability.
Another popular type of hardwood is hard maple. Maple is one of the most popular materials used in making solid wood flooring. This type of hardwood has a great deal of stability and is very durable. Hard maple floors are known for their reliability and durability. Hardwood floors are also available in a wide range of different colors, which allows the homeowner to create a specific look in a room.
There are some key physical characteristics that make hard maple different from oak. Hard maple can be polished while oak cannot. The grain of hard maple can be seen even when it is finished, whereas oak cannot be sawed. Lastly, maple can be stained while oak can not. Most furniture retailers will be able to help a customer choose the best color of stain for their hardwood flooring.
While oak is the most common choice for residential customers, it should be noted that pine has become a similar popular choice. Pine can be stained in a wide range of different colors, and is a close match to oak when it comes to durability. These two woods are often used in the creation of hardwood flooring. It should be noted that there is considerable variation in the grain patterns of these two woods. Oak and pine both have fine to medium grains, but they also have varying levels of tiny grain, which can greatly affect the appearance of the floor.
