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The Beauty of Oak Flooring

The aesthetics of oak flooring
For sheer warmth and natural beauty - nothing compares to the dramatic impression oak flooring creates when you first enter a room. The lustre, patina and fine grain finish capture the eye and set the tone around which everything else is framed.

Oak flooring has a timeless quality that can complement and enhance virtually any style or theme - you are not limited to the obvious country farmhouse look, oak flooring blends beautifully with classic Victorian, 70s retro, and even modern minimalist. When you consider the durability of oak, this adaptability comes into its own: being able to suite your most radical re-design and adding value to your property should you decide to move.

The simple clean lines created by wooden flooring also seem to visually expand the size of any room - while never making it appear cold or empty – making it an ideal choice for homes where space is an issue.

Oak flooring appeals to all your senses: it adds depth and resonance to the room’s acoustics and is one of the preferred choices of music aficionados, freshly waxed or polished it exudes a soothing aroma, and its comforting warmth is a delight in bare feet.

Practical considerations
The real beauty of oak floors is more than skin deep; they are a practical and economical solution to the demands of modern living.

Sourced from sustainable forests, oak flooring makes an ideal choice for people concerned with the environment and our impact on global warming.

From production to their eventual disposal, the carbon footprint is considerably less than many other flooring options. The sheer longevity and durability of a hardwood floor, means that over its considerable lifetime fewer resources are used.

Solid oak floors also act as an excellent thermal insulator, which will help to reduce heating costs and therefore household carbon emissions.

Care and maintenance
Oak floors are easy care and maintain, and with a little attention will remain looking as good as new for years, if not decades.

Protecting your oak floor
Scratches and abrasions are the key enemies of your floor’s appearance. Felt pads should be attached to furniture legs, and when you are moving furniture it is better to lift and move, rather than simply dragging the item across the floor.
Grit and dirt can also take their toll when walked into the surface of the wood, regular cleaning is strongly recommended and you could also consider placing rugs in areas of particularly high traffic.

Cleaning oak flooring
Keeping your of oak flooring clean gives you several options: for a quick clean you can vacuum or dust mop or for a more thorough deep clean damp-mopping is recommended to restore the woods natural lustre (make sure you use a neutral pH wood cleaner with your water).

Spillages
Spilling wine, coffee or water maybe a major problem with carpets, but with an oak floor all you need to do is wipe it up with an absorbent cloth or tissue. However, do not allow the fluid to stand and seep into the wood, clean them up straightaway.

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Sydney Osterwise, a leading specialist at Ambience Hardwood Flooring. For further information and to see a range of oak flooring, go to www.ambiencehardwoodflooring.com/.

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