If you're choosing to add hardwood flooring for the first time, going with a tried-and-true wood is recommended. Domestic and exotic species are available in North America, and, out of these, the most popular is red oak flooring. Known for a reddish color, red oak has coarse grain and is one of the more dense American woods available. This factor makes it one of the more durable and resistant varieties of hardwood flooring.
The ability to finish and stain easily is an advantage for this flooring. The wood, in general, has larger and more absorbent pores and, as a result, is more welcome to finishes and stains and won't experience blotching or an uneven texture, like other species. If you're looking to highlight the grain, using a darker stain will accent the texture.
Some, however, want their hardwood flooring to have a glossy or glass-like appearance. This is more difficult to achieve with red oak, but it's possible. Using pore filler before adding any finish is recommended.
Manufacturers and retailers of hardwood flooring have several options for red oak flooring. As a domestic species, this flooring is available in higher and cabin grades, with the latter showing more of the grain. If quicker installation is a priority, this flooring is commonly available as prefinished hardwood. In general, however, prefinished wood is best for adding new flooring to a larger space. Unfinished wood is best for seamlessly matching newer to older flooring. Engineered flooring, additionally, is sold and is better for homes with a concrete foundation or radiating heat source.
The color contrast, grain, and durability of red oak flooring make it ideal to cover a large space, be it a dance studio, loft, or open floor to a building. As the most popular hardwood on the market, red oak is practical for many purposes.
