How to Customize Unfinished White Oak Flooring for a Natural Look?
Customization has been an option in many products, and it is also seen in interior designs. Amongst the flooring choices, white oak has always been the first and top pick of customers. Known for many characteristics, white oak flooring is also popular because of its customization option.
Unfinished white oak flooring, which is completed on-site, allows people to customize the surface according to their needs. With customization, you are able to achieve white oak flooring that matches the aesthetic of the area. In this article, you will be informed about how to customize unfinished white oak flooring, the customization options, the competition time, and why white oak should be your choice.
Can the Unfinished White Oak Floor Be Customized?
It is possible for the white oak to be made into a flooring designed by you. The unfinished white oak is not pre-made by the manufacturer; it is raw, allowing you to customize it. You are in control of choosing the stains, finishings, plank size and style, texture, and many more. Since you are now aware of this, we should get into the guide on customizing unfinished white oak flooring.
A Guide to Customize Unfinished White Oak Flooring
Sometimes, the oak flooring cannot satisfy you by not being what you want to see in it. So, to achieve the sleek and modern surface of your choice, here is a helpful guide to personalize your unfinished white oak flooring.
Step One:
The first step is to prepare the room where the flooring is being installed. The crucial thing to take care of is that the room is cleaned of all furniture and decor. It is vital to remove all the furniture, carpets, and rugs to have a clear view of the floor. You must ensure the surface has no blemishes, cracked foundation, or unevenness that could cause an improper finish. Another tip to make the surface spotless is to vacuum, mop, or sweep.
Step Two:
Sanding is a step that comes after clearing the surface from ample furniture items, for which you should use coarse-grit sandpaper. This step makes it foolproof that the floor is smooth for the unfinished white oak.
Step Three:
Choosing the right hue for your unfinished white oak flooring is the next customization step. You can choose to mix two colors to be unique or go for natural and warm hues for an elegant style of flooring; only be assured that they fit your taste. It can take a few hours or a day for the stain to dry.
Step Four:
Once the stains are decided, spread a pre-stain coat on the wood first and then the hue on the wood with a soft brush in the order of the wood grain, slowly and in one swift coat. Applying the pigment to the same degree will make the floor look neat and whole instead of patchy.
Step Five:
The next step to follow is making the unfinished white oak floor sturdy to walk on and place furniture, plus to make them immune to factors that affect health and beauty. You can do that by customizing the protective finish to your liking. There are three different protection finishings- water-based and oil-based are the two most prominent protection applied on unfinished white oak flooring. The third finish is a smooth matte. This step will take at least three days to dry as each layer needs to be completely dried.
Step Six:
Seal the unfinished white oak surface to enhance the appearance. However, this step does not mean locking in a careless method. The floor needs to look great in natural light. For that, you have to apply the adhesive evenly across every inch of the floor and even their corners.
Step Seven:
The last step involves further smoothing the floor for a polished finish using a buffer. The floor buffer will polish your customized unfinished white oak floor, making it vibrant and to the point that you wished for.
How Long Will It Take for The Flooring to Be Ready to Use?
Your unfinished white oak flooring is complete, and now you are excited to decorate it with the furniture you bought. To start with making the area match the floor, you need to wait at least 48 to 72 hours. Let the surface dry properly for three days, and avoid walking or placing even a lightweight item on it for a uniform and refined result.
The Customization Options
We have covered how the unfinished white oak floor can be customized. The step is to learn what are the customization possibilities.
- There are three different texture options, which are brushed, timeworn, and hand-scarped.
- Choose the wood placement. There are straight planks, crisscross wood placements, narrow planks, broad placements, curved styles, and chevron patterns.
- The unfinished white oak planks have three custom styles- plain sawn, rift & quarter sawn, and rift sawn.
- The sizes include from five inches to fifteen or more inches, depending on what the customer needs for their area.
- Customize the edges by choosing from squares, beveled, and micro-beveled.
White Oak is the Best Option
White oak is your choice for beautiful flooring. The white oak wood is known to fill the area with its natural lighting. A durable surface is the safest, and white oak ensures that safety by being the best option for flooring that beats moisture and mold and stays in its original condition. And, as we all know, it is the perfect flooring as it offers customization.
Final Words
Customizing unfinished white oak flooring is a way to make the floor your style. There are various personalization options available, allowing you to say you designed it! Customization plus white oak are the two combinations that give the floor style and durability. The instructions are easy and will guide you on each step. Make your space warm, cozy, modern, traditional, or minimal by adding your choice to the unfinished wood. Be ready to customize!
Customizing unfinished white oak flooring allows for a truly personalized touch, but if you’re seeking a more convenient and ready-to-install option, explore why white oak laminate flooring is a smart choice for achieving style and durability with ease.