Are White Oak Floors Going Out Of Style?

If you are shopping for new flooring, you've probably already considered white oak. It's difficult not to — it's everywhere. White oak floors have been on the trend radar for years, showing up in kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms across the country. In fact, oak itself is the most popular type of hardwood flooring, according to Inner Space. Its durability, uniqueness, and beauty contribute to its ongoing popularity, and with a relatively low price tag, you can have this long-lasting, gorgeous flooring in your home without breaking the bank.

Believe it or not, floor types move in trends, too. They come and go with the seasons just as much as countertops and living room furniture does. As we know, the biggest problem with trends is, at some point or another, they fade into oblivion... or do they? Is white oak flooring finally going out of style? Let's take a look.

White oak floors aren't going anywhere anytime soon. White oak is one of the top-trending types of hardwood flooring because of its high-quality look and low maintenance, says Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. Thanks to its light color, white oak hides dirt, scratches, and other imperfections, whereas they would be much more visible on dark wood. White oak is super popular, so you won't have any trouble finding the right type of hardwood for your home, moreover, you can usually find white oak for a more affordable price than other types of white wood flooring.

Of course, every type of wood flooring has its downsides, and white oak is no exception. According to Artisan Wood Floors, one of the main issues with white oak is its high density. The higher the density, the stronger the wood, which is great, but it means you'll have a harder time installing it. Wood Magazine explains that carbide-tipped cutters and saw blades are needed to prevent any damage to your tools.  

One of the best features of white oak is it doesn't need to be stained. Although stains don't protect your floors, they are usually used to give the hardwood a more aesthetically-pleasing look. White oak is already beautiful as-is, so there's no need to stain it. That being said, just because it's called white oak doesn't mean white is your only option; you can definitely choose a stain to match the style of the room you're re-flooring. 

If you want a dining room to have an elegant vibe, you might consider a medium or dark stain, Carlisle Wide Plank Floors suggests. Add white furniture for a dramatic contrast to give the room an even more luxurious feel. If you're aiming for a living room or kitchen with a farmhouse aesthetic, keep the white oak wood's original color. Light white oak gives the illusion of a bigger room, so it's an ideal candidate if you're searching for ways to expand the look of a small space.