If your home feels just a little bit too modern. Filled with man made fibers and cold metal counter tops, your best place to start breathing some character and warmth into it would be by laying oak flooring. And for an extra layer of character, nothing will compare to a true rustic style of flooring. Oak is a beautiful wood in its own right. Sought for its strength and beauty by craftsmen the world over, a prime grade of oak flooring would be too perfect to give a real rustic effect.
This is achieved by buying rustic grade flooring to start with. This has a less smooth grain look, and more knotting and markings throughout the boards. None of this degrades from the strength or quality of the boards, it just adds more character. Or some may say it tells a better story about the wood.
Next you will have to choose the kind of finish to the floor you want. This adds protection to the floor and can enhance the features of the wood further.
- Unfinished oak flooring is just what it says. Nothing has been done to it prior to installation. This leaves this up to you to sand down then give a lacquer or an oil.
- Oiled oak flooring comes finished and ready to be laid. Probably feels and looks more natural with a richer color.
- Lacquered oak flooring has a smoother finish to it. The lacquer is also extra protection from daily wear and tear.
- Wire brushing is really an addition to those finishes already highlighted. It will add to the rustic look as it makes the wood look more worn and will give the floor a bit of grip.
Finally, to give the floor even more character we lay oak floor boards in various lengths. Most flooring suppliers will have stock of rustic grade flooring cut for sale in 3 or 4 different lengths for this exact purpose.