Oak Solid Wood Flooring FAQ's
What is Oak Solid Wood Flooring?
Oak solid wood flooring refers to solid wood floors that have been crafted from oak trees to create a solid wood plank, composed entirely of real wood. These individual planks are usually milled from a single piece of oak timber and can vary in width and length.
One of the significant advantages of oak solid wood flooring is its longevity. Oak is a hardwood species known for its strength and resilience. This makes our oak solid wood flooring well-suited for high-traffic areas such as living rooms, hallways, and kitchens. If properly maintained, oak solid wood flooring can last for decades and can even be refinished multiple times to restore its original appearance. It’s also the most popular choice for the majority of customers because it’s easier to source than other wood species such as walnut and therefore less expensive.
Featuring a tight and prominent grain pattern, oak flooring has a natural beauty and timeless appeal that can add character and elegance to any space, complementing various interior styles. However, if knots and variation aren’t what you’re looking for, there are more premium oak floors available. We refer to these as prime-grade floors. Prime-grade floors have a more uniform appearance with minimal knots or imperfections, while lower-grade options may include more knots, colour variations, and natural features, which give the floor a more charming and rustic appeal.
At Flooring365 we have a wide range of oak solid wood flooring, with finished and unfinished options available as well as prime-grade flooring and budget-friendly options.
How Much Is Oak Wood Flooring?
On average in the UK, solid oak wood flooring usually costs somewhere between £40-£100. Here at Flooring365, we have a wide range of solid oak floors, some of which are prime-grade and some of which are extremely budget-friendly. Either way, with the lowest prices online we’re sure you’ll be thrilled with the prices that you find. With solid oak flooring from as low as £34 per m² we have a range to suit every home and budget.
How To Refinish Oak Wood Floors?
If you are hoping to refinish your flooring in the future, then solid oak flooring is the best option. Not only does it allow for multiple refinishes thanks to the thick solid oak composition, but it’s also an extremely popular choice, making it easy to find a suitable finish. For an in-depth guide to refinishing flooring, visit our maintenance centre.
How To Get Stains Out Of Oak Wood Flooring?
If you have an ultra-tough stain on your solid oak flooring, there are a few ways you can fix this. First, we would suggest trying a home remedy solution. Not only is this kinder to your flooring, but it’s also often the easiest and cheapest option too. If this doesn’t work, you may need something tougher. In this case, try using hydrogen peroxide. This is one of the most effective ways to remove stains from wood flooring, but you will need to take extra care that you do not leave it to soak for too long, as this could damage your flooring. By now, any stains should have been lifted, but assuming the worst, you can always refinish or replace these boards. We’ve included some more information on each step below.
Home Remedy
Soak a cloth with vinegar and water. Allow it to sit on the stain until it has soaked up any discolouration, lifting the cloth to check periodically.
Floor cleaner
Soak a cotton cloth in hydrogen peroxide and leave it to sit on the stain for approximately 6 hours before removing any residue. If the stain is still persistent, you can repeat this step.
Refinish
If you can’t seem to remove the stubborn stain and you feel like you’ve tried everything, don’t panic. Solid wood flooring can be sanded and refinished to give it a total refresh. However, it’s worth noting that if you have chosen a lacquered oak floor then you will need to refinish the entire room. If you have chosen an oiled oak floor, you can simply sand and refinish the individual board.
Replace
Depending on how your flooring has been installed, it may be easier for you to simply replace the stained board. While this will take some time, it will ensure your flooring looks brand new again.
How To Treat Bare Oak Wood Floor?
If you are looking at an unfinished oak wood floor, then you will need to treat it appropriately. There are numerous wood finishes on the market, and each one has its own quirks in terms of practicalities and aesthetics, so it’s important that you know which treatment you want to apply, and the effect it will have on your flooring before proceeding. If you are unsure, take a look at our solid wood flooring finishes guide. Once you above chosen the right lacquer, wax, or oil, you can apply it in accordance with our maintenance guides below.
Treating A Lacquered Oak Floor
Treating An Oiled Oak Floor
How To Clean Solid Oak Wood Flooring?
Wood flooring is one of the easiest floors to keep clean and maintain. Unlike carpet or other floors, it will not collect and trap dirt or debris. However, it will still need cleaning. To clean your solid oak wood flooring, all you will need is a sweeping brush or vacuum, a decent mop, and some mild floor detergent. We recommend sweeping or vacuuming regularly to keep it in best condition, but mopping should only need to be done once weekly.
Does Oak Solid Wood Flooring Scratch Easily?
Any solid wood floor will be susceptible to scratches but will withstand daily use, even in busy households. However, we do have a wide range of finishes to choose from that will help to further protect your oak flooring from scratches. It’s also worth noting that our oak solid wood flooring can be sanded down and refinished almost indefinitely throughout its lifespan. Therefore, you shouldn’t have to replace your oak flooring, even if the worst happens. However, if this is something that interests you, we advise choosing thicker floorboards as this will give you more wood to work with.
For more information on how to refinish your solid wood floors, visit our maintenance guides.
Is Oak Solid Wood Flooring Waterproof?
No, oak solid wood flooring is not waterproof, and neither is any other solid wood flooring regardless of whether it is oak flooring or birch. Solid wood is notorious for absorbing liquids, and this can lead to warping or discolouration if left for too long. If you do spill something, we advise that you clean it quickly to prevent it from seeping into your floorboards.
For more information on how to care for solid wood floors, visit our Solid Wood Maintenance Guide.
How Long Does Oak Solid Wood Flooring Need To Acclimatise?
Solid wood flooring requires the most time to acclimate due to its solid wood composition. This is regardless of whether you choose oak flooring, walnut flooring, or birch flooring. All solid wood flooring, no matter the wood species will need a minimum of 7 days to acclimatise. However, the longer you let the flooring acclimatise the better. To properly acclimate your flooring, you should lay it flat horizontally in the flooring where you plan to install it. Once you have finished this process, you can begin to lay your flooring or have it installed professionally knowing your flooring is secure and will look its best for many years to come.
How To Lay Solid Oak Wood Flooring?
If you are hoping to do a DIY installation, then we highly suggest taking a look at our DIY installation guide.