Installing White Oak Hardwood Flooring in San Francisco Apartments

Installing White Oak Flooring in a San Francisco Apartment

Hardwood floors can completely transform the look and feel of a space. White oak is a popular hardwood choice for flooring due to its versatility and timeless beauty. I recently installed 225 square feet of white oak flooring in a San Francisco apartment. Read on for details about the installation process and why white oak is an ideal flooring choice for apartment renovations.

Choosing White Oak Flooring

White oak brings a light and airy feeling to a space. It has a mostly uniform color tone that pairs well with both dark and light interior finishes. I chose a 4 inch wide engineered white oak for this project. The boards had a smooth matte finish that subtly showed the natural wood grain.

Engineered hardwoods like this are popular in apartments because they have a real wood veneer on top and a plywood core below. This stabilizes the wood and makes it well-suited for the multi-level subfloors often found in apartments. It also makes it less prone to moisture damage, which can be important in the damp climate of San Francisco.

Preparing for Installation

After clearing the area of furniture, appliances, baseboards, and trim, I checked the subfloor for levelness and made repairs where needed. Leveling an uneven subfloor prior to installation ensures the flooring looks straight and avoids creaking boards in the future.

I also ensured the environmental conditions were correct before bringing the white oak flooring boards into the space. The ideal conditions are 60-80°F and 40-60% relative humidity. Ensuring proper environmental conditions ahead of time helps minimize gapping between boards later on.

Once the space met the temperature and humidity requirements, I could start the acclimation process. Leaving the boards stacked in the room for a few days allows them to adjust to the apartment's indoor environment first. Acclimation helps prevent excessive expansion or shrinkage issues after installation.

Starting the White Oak Installation Process

I began the installation at the longest straightest wall, placing foam underlayment before starting to connect the tongue and groove white oak boards. Proper underlayment allows a small amount of floor movement while minimizing sounds.

Gluing the boards first along that long wall prevented gaps from developing later on. I added each following row of flooring using an industry-approved hardwood flooring stapler made to protect the white oak boards.

Once the main section was complete, I carefully cut pieces to size to fit around door frames and other fixed objects, leaving the appropriate expansion gaps. Transition moldings blend the flooring height with adjacent rooms.

Sealing and Protecting White Oak Flooring

Since oak has an open grain, it typically requires a bit more protection than a closed grain species. After installing the final row, I screened the entire floor with a 120-grit sanding pad. This gently roughs up the factory finish to allow the sealant to penetrate deeper.

For this project, I applied a high-quality water based polyurethane specially formulated for use over factory finished flooring. Polyurethane provides excellent protection from wear and moisture while allowing the natural color tones and depth of the white oak to come through.

I was able to apply 2 coats, drying each coat fully as specified by the manufacturer’s recommendations. This gave the updated space the benefits of stunning white oak floors while also being well-protected for the wear and tear of apartment living.

The Beauty of White Oak Flooring

The smooth planks of milky white oak flooring brought a completely fresh ambiance into this San Francisco apartment. The variation and light color complemented the radiant heating system perfectly. Use of the durable engineered hardwood means it should retain its beauty for years while also being easier to keep clean.

Owners and property managers aiming to elevate their apartments should consider this on-trend flooring material. With the right prep work, materials, and installation technique, white oak flooring is a worthwhile investment that brings timeless style into urban living spaces.

FAQs

Why choose white oak flooring for an apartment?

White oak has a timeless, light and airy look that elevates any space. It pairs well with many design styles and the engineered boards are more stable and durable than solid wood, making them well-suited for multi-unit dwellings.

What type of white oak boards were used?

This project utilized 4 inch wide engineered white oak boards with a smooth matte finish showing subtle natural grain variations. Using engineered boards helps prevent moisture damage.

How is white oak flooring protected?

After installation, the factory finish was lightly abraded before applying 2 coats of water-based polyurethane. This clear sealant penetrates deep to protect from wear and spills while allowing the wood's color to show through.

Does white oak require any special care?

White oak has an open wood grain so it's best to sweep regularly and use proper wood floor cleaners. Avoid excessive water exposure and be sure to have proper humidity levels maintained to prevent over-drying. Check with the manufacturer for their care recommendations.