Why Am I Advised Against Wide Oak Flooring Planks?
Having a wood plank floor that remains flat and stable after installation is a desirable and sometimes elusive goal,particularly in wider widths.But,it’s easier than you may think.Buying your oak flooring from the right manufacturer is one of several critical aspects to having a successful outcome.
Red and White Oak flooring are two of the most stable woods available for use in flooring.The reason for this comes from their cellular structure.They are both “ring porous” woods – which means they have defined growth rings – which lend them a degree of stability that woods that are “diffuse porous” (such as Maple) don’t have.The side effect of having defined growth rings is a more prominent grain on the face of the board.And, while that’s not the subject here,it can help you determine the potential stability of a wood if you can only see it from the top.
Being an inherently stable wood,however,is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to making sure your flooring remains flat after installation in your home.There are many other factors involved.Some people will tell you that not only using an inherently stable wood – but,also making sure it is “vertical grain” is the key to maintaining a flat floor.(Vertical Grain is a commonly used term meaning the same as Rift and/or Quarter Sawn – when the grain or growth rings are vertical or near 90 degrees to the face of the plank.) I strongly feel there is no one solution to this potential issue – but rather, careful planning and execution is required.And, make sure your flooring was treated properly by the manufacturer – because, in our “hurry up world, all wide oak flooring is not created equal.
Oak, like all wood flooring, goes through several stages from tree to your floor.Trees are cut into logs, logs are shipped to sawmills,sawmills saw logs into boards and the boards are stacked with small sticks between the layers to “air dry” outdoors. That typically brings the moisture content of the boards (drier is better) down to around 20%. This is where the processes diverge.After air drying, most of the oak flooring sold nowadays is “vacuum” kiln-dried down to the required 6-9% moisture content required before flooring can be milled.This process can take only 3 hours – the vacuum literally sucks the moisture out of the planks.To go from 20% moisture down to 6-9% in 3 hours leaves the planks with an enormous amount of stress in them and their behavior once installed cannot be predicted.Of course, most of the mills that employ this process mill mostly 2 ¼” “strip” flooring, where that stress is concealed by the small size of the planks.
The better approach is employed by reputable “plank” mills that use dehumidification and heat to gently bring the moisture content of their planks down to the requisite 6-9%.This process can take anywhere from 3 days to a week or more – and results in a stable plank regardless of width, whether plain sawn or quarter sawn.
So now, you’re not limited to the narrow and the mundane – but rather, you are free to choose the oak flooring that best satisfies your design objective.
About the Author
Mark Harbold is the owner and founder of CountryPlank.com which offers wood plank flooring of the highest quality available – whether solid plank or engineered plank – offered at the most affordable prices,all backed by over 25 years of experience and customer service.Visit CountryPlank.com to see an extensive variety of plank flooring, from domestics such as cherry, walnut and Oak Flooring as well as exotics such as Tigerwood, Santos Mahogany, Brazilian Walnut (Ipe) and Brazilian Teak.
Breakfast Woodworks CNC machines Hauer Ceiling piece, quartered white oak.
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Wood Veneer, Oak, Red Quartered. Heavy Fleck, 2×8, PSA Backed $52.50 Wood Veneer, Oak, Red Quartered. Heavy Fleck, 2′ x 8′, with Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (Peel & Stick) 10 Mil Backer. As with any wood veneer a, clean, smooth, well prepared surface is essential for proper adhesion. Please follow instructions carefully. Any PSA backed veneers should be applied to a sealed surface, not bare wood. This is a natural wood product, color and grain pattern will vary fr… |
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WHITE OAK Quartered Cut and Flakey Veneer 2′X4′ [CAPITOL CITY LUMBER] $25.16 This product is for a 2′ by 4′ sheet of premium unfinished White Oak hardwood veneer with flakes. The veneer has a 10 mil paper backer. Since this is a natural wood product, each sheet will have subtle differences in color, texture and grain pattern. Please see our full line of veneers in our online store. Other species, cuts and backers are available through special order. Please inquire wit… |
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Flexwood Quartered White Oak Heavy Flake 4X8-10 Mil Flexwood Quartered White Oak Heavy Flake 4X8-10 Mil… |
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Acute Care Tables Quartered Oak – Model 920507 $679.83 Tables rise with gentle upward pressure, and lock into infinite positions from 30″-45″ high. U-shaped base has 2″ twin wheel casters with 28″ of inside clearance to accommodate most wheelchairs and other seating. 18″ x 32″ no lip table tops resist damage from alcohol, boiling water, food acid, and ink spills. Vinyl T-molding surrounds the edge for a smooth finish. Supports up to 100 lbs. Requires … |
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Deluxe Automatic Overbed Table Quartered Oak – Model 920491 $508.23 The 15″W x 30″L tabletop raises with a slight upward pressure, and features a 1/4″ spill-proof lip and 1/2″ bullnose edgemold to protect it from chipping and cracking. An “H” base for maximum stability supports the opal powder-coated steel column and tabletop. 2″ swivel casters allow easy maneuverability over carpet, tile, linoleum and thresholds.Weighs 28 lbs. Partial assembly required. 50 lbs. w… |
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Deluxe Automatic Overbed Table Quartered Oak with Vanity – Model 920492 $624.92 The 15″W x 30″L tabletop raises with a slight upward pressure, and features a 1/4″ spill-proof lip and 1/2″ bullnose edgemold to protect it from chipping and cracking. An “H” base for maximum stability supports the opal powder-coated steel column and tabletop. 2″ swivel casters allow easy maneuverability over carpet, tile, linoleum and thresholds.Weighs 28 lbs. Partial assembly required. 50 lbs. w… |
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Catalogue, 1907 of the Williamsport Furniture Company, Manufacturers of American Quartered Oak, American Mahogany, Birds eye Maple, Mahogany, Birch and Quartered Oak Furniture … |
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Indiana Quartered Oak Co v. Federal Trade Commission U.S. Supreme Court Transcript of Record with Supporting Pleadings $15.83 The Making of Modern Law: U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs, 1832-1978 contains the world’s most comprehensive collection of records and briefs brought before the nation’s highest court by leading legal practitioners – many who later became judges and associates of the court. It includes transcripts, applications for review, motions, petitions, supplements and other official papers of the most… |
