There are various types of building materials for the floors, and oak hardwood flooring is one of the best among them. Opting for oak provides several advantages to the home owners and occupants, but there are disadvantages as well. It is important to know the pros and cons of using oak hardwood flooring in order to appropriately determine if this type of building material is suitable to your home based on your budget and desired presentation, beauty, and ambiance.
Oak Hardwood Flooring
Oak is one of the best and premium flooring materials. Its usage can, therefore, add more value to the property. Residential houses with oak hardwood flooring are valued higher compared to other flooring materials like the standard hardwood, cement, and tiles.
Another significant advantage of using oak is durability. A typical oak tree lives for a couple of tens to hundreds of years. This only shows that oak is an extremely solid and durable hardwood. Its usage for the flooring is well-proven to last longer under proper care and maintenance. Aside from that, oak flooring further enhances the ambiance and beauty of the room. Its natural looks create a perfect relaxing atmosphere that is ideal for rest, recreation, and leisure.
Also an important benefit is the flexibility in design. Oak hardwood flooring is available in various colors, such as the natural light color, dark oak, and light colored oaks. Thus, they can blend well with various room themes.
On the other hand, oak is quite expensive. You may have to put up a huge investment on the purchase of this type of flooring material. However, the enormous amount is also worth investing since it can further add value to the property.
Another disadvantage of using oak hardwood flooring is the relatively stringent maintenance requirements. Oak must be properly cared and handled to preserve its quality and looks. Otherwise, the quality of its exterior finishing may swiftly diminish over time. The flooring is easily scratched and damaged by sharp objects like bed legs, rough edges of furniture, and shoe heels. But this can be avoided by placing rugs, floor runners, and carpets on areas where the furniture is placed, and in areas where a lot of people are passing by.
Furthermore, oak is highly prone to fading under direct sunlight. To prevent direct sunlight exposure, it is suggested to place window curtains. Better yet, close the windows during daytime. This is not a problem for closed rooms that are continuously cooled down by the air conditioning system like hotels and offices.
To further protect the oak hardwood flooring from fading, it is recommended to regularly apply special conditioning and cleaning materials. These protective products can protect the flooring from the rigors of extreme temperatures and liquid spills.
