As a wood species, oak is one of the toughest options available, making it a really popular choice for both furniture and flooring. One of the main reasons for oak being so tough is the age of the oak tree before it is felled to make timber. Oak trees can live for hundreds of years, withstanding everything nature throws at it. In fact, the oak tree is so heavily associated with strength and longevity that it is commonly used as a logo for companies and organisations to suggest trust and longstanding.
As a wood, oak boasts extreme strength and hardness, making it particularly resistant to insect and fungal attack. Used throughout history in the likes of ship building, wine ageing, drum making and even in medical preparations, oak is a really popular choice in interior design. Oak flooring is a perfect flooring option, no matter whether you’re seeking to create a traditional or a modern interior.
With a broad colour spectrum, you can expect to find oak flooring options in everything from light, grey tones to dark, warm honey colours. Two of the main global producers of oak are the United States of America and Europe. If you are looking to invest in an oak floor, either an American oak or a European oak floor will leave you with a result that is likely to last more than a lifetime. Like other wood species, both European and American oak comes in various grades and colours. Irrespective of which continent your floor comes from, the grade and colour you plump for will depend on the look you’re hoping to create, as well as your budget.
European oak is typically light to dark brown in colour and is a particularly hard, strong and heavy wood. One of the major benefits of European oak is that it lends itself particularly well to finishing and doesn’t expand and contract to any great extent. Used broadly across most types of furnishing, it is a sought after flooring option because it is so hard wearing as well as stunningly good looking. Because the sap wood in European oak trees is relatively thin, you can typically expect to find long lengths and wide widths of European oak.
Quercus alba is the white oak which is commonly found in North America. A tree that typically doesn’t grow as tall as the European oaks, it is a broad tree, which means it can be used to produce nice wide plank wood flooring. Red oak is also typically exported from the United States. Although there appears to be little difference in pricing between the American and European options, there are a significant number of experts who confidently state that the quality of American oak is more consistent. That said, one thing to watch out for is how the wood has been dried, with warnings that vacuum kiln drying can cause internal problems to the structure of the wood.
So, the long and short of it is, that both American and European oak have their advantages and disadvantages and which you choose will depend to a large extent on your personal preferences and whether or not you’re prepared to buy a product that has travelled half way across the world. Irrespective of which option you choose, your flooring supplier should be able to reassure you that the wood has come from a sustainable source and satisfies all your requirements.
Comparison of American Oak and European Oak for Flooring
| Attribute | American Oak | European Oak |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Typically ranges from light to mid-brown shades | Light to dark brown |
| Strength and Hardness | Very strong and hard | Particularly hard, strong, and heavy |
| Resistance to Insect and Fungal Attack | High resistance | High resistance |
| Reaction to Finishing | Depends on the specific type of American oak | Lends itself particularly well to finishing |
| Expansion and Contraction | Varies with the specific type of American oak | Doesn’t expand and contract to any great extent |
| Availability of Long Lengths and Wide Widths | Can produce wide plank wood flooring due to the broad growth of the trees | Typically long lengths and wide widths due to thin sapwood |
| Drying Process | Some American oak may be vacuum kiln-dried, which can potentially cause internal structural problems | Typically doesn’t have this issue, but it depends on the specific drying process used |
| Additional Notes | The quality of American oak is often considered more consistent, but this could vary | European oak is renowned for being hard-wearing and aesthetically pleasing |
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FAQ
Why is oak a popular choice for furniture and flooring?
Oak is a popular choice due to its extreme strength and hardness. It is particularly resistant to insect and fungal attack. Moreover, oak trees live for hundreds of years, thereby associating the wood with strength and longevity.
What spectrum of colours does oak flooring offer?
Oak flooring offers a broad spectrum of colours ranging from light, grey tones to dark, warm honey colours. The specific shade you choose can help create either a traditional or modern interior.
What are the main differences between European and American oak?
European oak is typically light to dark brown in colour and is hard, strong, and heavy. It doesn’t expand and contract to any great extent and lends itself well to finishing. American oak, such as the white oak (Quercus alba) and red oak, produces nice wide plank wood flooring, with experts stating that the quality of American oak is more consistent.
What should I consider when choosing between American and European oak?
The choice between American and European oak will largely depend on your personal preferences and whether you are prepared to buy a product that has travelled halfway across the world. It’s important to consider how the wood has been dried, with warnings that vacuum kiln drying can cause internal problems to the structure of the wood.
How can I ensure the oak for my flooring comes from a sustainable source?
Your flooring supplier should be able to reassure you that the wood comes from a sustainable source. Therefore, it’s crucial to ask for this information before making a purchase.