Youll also note that oak pieces will change color somewhat as the years pass, with white oak tending to pick up an amber hue.
For starters, oak wood furniture will naturally darken over time. This doesn't mean you should be looking out for furniture as dark as walnut or mahogany, but if the oak piece you are looking at is still very lightly coloured, it may not be as old as you think.
The simple answer to this is yes, wood flooring will change colour over the years. Wood is a natural product and changes in colour will occur due to the wood's reaction to the environment. A dark wood such as walnut will lighten and a lighter wood species like oak, will darken.
Oak wood can turn a variety of different colors as it ages, but typically the wood will darken and become more rich in color over time. Some people might describe the color as a deep brown or even black, while others may say that it has a reddish hue.
The Sun's UV rays will turn the oak to a silvery hue over time. Clear products are inevitably not completely clear so they tend to 'bring out' the natural colours of the oak, normally making it a bit darker and warmer.
Keeping oak happy
Direct sunlight may fade the finish, and heat from radiators will dry your furniture out. It's a good idea to keep a gap of about 25mm between the wall and the back of your furniture. This lets air flow through, keeping the temperature stable and prolonging the life of your oak.
Oak is a sturdy, class-two timber known for its outstanding durability, high fungal resistance, an indefinite lifespan. With proper care, oak furniture can last for a lifetime!
High strength and durability
Oak is a hardwood because it comes from a slow growing tree. It is one of the most resistant and durable woods, so it is very popular for the manufacture of quality furniture and for parquet, among other uses. Another great advantage is its resistance to moisture.
Durability
In contrast, oak will take most knocks and extended wear and tear without any change in appearance. This makes oak the best wood for furniture in well used family areas or public dining areas where it will see a lot of continued use.
Sunlight can cause oak furniture to dry out, potentially leading to cracking and colour fading. You should also protect your oak furniture from temperature extremes on the other end. Avoid placing oak furniture next to an air vent or air conditioning system. And, of course, keep oak furniture away from anywhere damp.
If the wood is too dark, soak a clean cloth in turpentine or mineral spirits and rub the wood firmly and evenly along the grain. This will lighten the stain but not remove it.
Oak flooring is naturally light in colour with golden, honey tones. Although oak will mellow and darken a little over time, it takes hundreds of years to develop the rich dark patina of aged oak.
This occurs when the pigments, tannins and other resins in timber are exposed to air and UV light. Over time this will cause yellowing in light timbers, while darker timbers usually develop rich brown or pink red tones and uncoated timbers will grey or silver.
What Color is Oak Wood? A piece of natural oak wood can take on virtually any hue; from light beige through brown and red. While white oak tends to look more beige-to-brown and red oak looks rosier, its not always easy to tell the difference between the various types of oak based on color alone.
Pros: Oak wood is very durable and often cut in a way that makes it resistant to warping. Because of its visible wavy grain, it has a distinctive look. A clear finish nicely highlights the grain. Cons: Stain can overly darken and exaggerate the grain, so it can end up looking two-toned.
Oak has been used extensively in both boat and door manufacturing throughout the ages. Oak is hard and rot-resistant with distinct, beautiful veins. Its only disadvantage is that it is a bright wood and if you want to keep it bright outdoors, it requires more maintenance than a darker type of wood.
The versatility of oak allows it to be both warm and rich, and light and uplifting simultaneously, providing a sophisticated and contemporary feel in any room of your home. As well as its lustrous exterior beauty, oak furniture has become a popular furniture choice due to its robust and hardwearing nature.
Oak furniture has been a home staple for centuries due to its strength, durability, and beautiful grain patterns. Over the years, other materials like stainless steel, glass, and plastic have become famous for home décor, but with a growing trend towards natural and sustainable options, oak is making a comeback.
Honey Oak wood was a massive trend in the 80s and 90s. It eventually fizzled out to make room for a new trend.
Oak can be identified by its light brown color, straight grain, and visible growth rings. To confirm, feel the grain to see if it is porous. The wood should have darker growth rings and very few knots. One of the most prominent giveaways of oak is the presence of ray flakes (or flecks), especially when quartersawn.
If you want to keep your oak structure looking new, using Osmo UV-Protection Oil will protect against colour change. Applying two coats of clear oil will penetrate and protect the wood and delay the natural greying process up to 12 x more.
The best water resistant wood types & species. Iroko, Oak, Western Red Cedar, Cherry, Maple and heat-treated woods are just a few examples of timber that boast excellent dimensional stability and high resistance to shrinking and warping in the face of moisture.