Video Transcript:
The general colour and tone of oak is of a pale to medium tone. Its closest rival in terms of popularity would be walnut, typically the American black walnut which can be found in the United States and Canada.
The grain patterns of the wood are slightly different and obviously the tones are very different. The American walnut is much darker and slightly richer in colour. In terms of hardness the walnut despite its sound is not quite as durable and hard as oak flooring which is why most commonly you will see walnut with a multi-coated lacquer finish rather than an oiled or UV-oiled finish on the oak.
Oak has around 600 different species. The oak tree bears flowers in spring and the acorn which is actually a nut as its fruit. Most acorns contain only one seed and take between 6 to 18 months to mature depending on the species.
Oak has a density of around 0.75 grams per cubic centimeter this means that it is a medium to high strength and hardness wood. It’s highly resistant to insects and fungal attack because of its high tannic which is a form of acid found within the fibers of the oak tree.
It also has very attractive grain markings particularly when quarter sawn, quarter swanned boards of oak have been priceless in the middle ages, were used in interior paneling of many prestigious buildings for example in the debating chamber of the House of Commons in London, England.
Wood and Beyond typically offers anywhere from 75 to 100 various types of oak flooring from solid and engineered construction. These come with 10 years warranty and are available in four grades and many finish options.