What Can Affect The Look Of My Oak Flooring?

14th Feb 2014 @ 17:24

The final look of your oak flooring is something that is very much a case of personal preference and what works best in your environment. Some prefer their flooring to look bright and vibrant, where as others prefer the more classical look of a darker oak floor. So what can you do to achieve your desired look of oak flooring?

The first option is whether you are going for prefinished oak flooring or unfinished oak flooring. Prefinished oak flooring is very much seen as the faster, quicker option. Prefinished oak boards are supplied already finished with the likes of hard wax oils and lacquers.These boards are what you see is what you get. Unfinished oak boards however are supplied in their original unfinished state. These boards are normally finished after the boards have been fitted.

When choosing prefinished oak flooring, it is simply a case of choosing a prefinished board with your desired finish and tone. Those looking for darker oak boards may like the look of boards similar to our Castelnaud or Fayet boards. Whereas those preferring a more lighter tone might like the look of the Annecy or Chiaro boards.

With unfinished oak flooring, the range of styles and tones available is much greater, allowing you to achieve pretty much any look you require.

The first place to start is with the grading of the board. Due to the increased number of knots, shakes and cracks that are found in the barn and character grades, these boards can often appear darker. Boards with less character, such as the select and prime grades often appear to be much lighter. It is also worth noting that boards with more character will also generally have greater colour variation than "cleaner" boards.

With the choice of grading complete, the finish of the board can now be chosen.

For those looking for a very light oak floor, one product that may be of interest is the Blanchon Original Wood Environment. This particular product has been designed to retain the unfinished look of the timber, whilst also providing protection. Available in four finishes, this finish will keep the timber looking as natural as possible.

If you are looking for a finish which adds something more, there is the Blanchon Hard Waxoil and Blanchon Hard Waxoil Colours. For the lighter tone the Weathered Wood, Old White, White and White Grey finishes are available.

Light Blanchon Colours

For a more honey styled floor there is the middle range of Rough Timber, Standard (Matt Or Satin), Walnut and Wild Cherry

Honye Blanchon Tone

Whereas if you prefer your floor to have a more greyish tone to it, there is the Light Grey, Metallic Grey, Graphite and Black.

Grey Blanchon Colours

Last but not least there is the darker options of the Light Oak, Smoked Oak and Golden Oak finishes.

Dark Blanchon Colours

The above images show just a selection of colour styles that are available from hard wax oils. These oils can also often be combined to create a completely new style.

Whatever look you decide upon, we always recommend that you take a look at it in person first. If you would like to discuss the different options with us in more detail, please give us a call on 01538 304584.

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