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Advice needed - White Oak Flooring

2 years ago

I am thinking of installing 8”white oak floors with a glue and nail down application. Has anyone had a problem with cupping or other issues with this width- if glued down too?
I’d prefer to go with solid white oak as opposed to engineered wood.
Thanks in advance for your input!

Comments (18)

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    HVAC run year round and constant monitoring of indoor humidity and it "should" be no problem as long as this is not going on a slab.

    Edited to add mechanical fasteners with a glue assist.

  • 2 years ago

    I am not a flooring professional so please take this with a grain of salt but in the regular humidity shifts in a home you will have about 1/8" of movement across an 8" board and a mechanical bond 3/4" below is not likely to limit it all that much. I would use an engineered board at that width, but you do you.

  • 2 years ago

    If you look at engineered flooring with 6mm veneer top layer and a hardwood plywood core you'll have less probability of expansion and contraction problems. You'll also get the choice of European Oak, a denser species with less open grain to turn dark.

  • 2 years ago

    engineered hardwood with at least 3mm wear layer or better is way to go.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    As everyone stated, expect movements. Applying a full spread floor adhesive will reduce the movement. Beads of glue will not.

  • 2 years ago

    @G&S Floor that is correct and what my installer is doing.


  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Don't forget the roll on moisture barrier. Other, than that you're in good shape.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    @G & S Floor Service, correct my guy is using Bostik Hardwood glue and other items.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago









    All engineered rustic or prime grade European Oak from Monarch Plank. There are other sources American white oak can't give you this look..

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    White ash with reactive stain can provide the same look. Just need a skilled finisher.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Ime, ash will yellow and the grain darken over time. The sapwood is dark to start.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Limewashed European oak may all be the rage now, but it will fall by the wayside as soon as all those super white floors start naturally turning peach, as all oak ages and yellows up a bit. It's not confined to American white oak, and European white oak is darker to begin with.

    https://duffieldtimber.com/the-workbench/categories/buyers-guides/european-oak-vs-american-white-oak

  • 2 years ago

    so far really loving my new red oak engineered Lauzon floors they have nice color balance.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    The linked article is marketing, not scientific research. No authors are listed. The retailer on the site doesn't offer flooring. The link for flooring on their homepage goes nowhere. It cannot be found. Some info may be good, some not. It can't be relied on as a source for making an important choice, imo.

    The linked article doesn't contain info about 'turning peach'. That could be an opinion of the poster. I guess. The article is useful to show the open grain difference between European Oak and North American Oak because this retailer primarily sells European Oak as decking and siding. European Oak doesn't have open grain. It lasts outside in weather. North American Oak does have open grain. It discolors from mold.

    It's beneficial to do your research. Hardwood flooring design, techniques and information - monarchplank

  • 2 years ago

    We installed 7.5" white oak (engineered) flooring, nail down and glue assist (Bostik). Zero problems...our climate goes from desert like hot/dry to lots of snow during winter. We had previously solid prefinished wood and contractor husband got tired of its movement.

  • PRO
    2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    If you want to know the reality, from the actual industry standard for it, then you will buy the industry reference manual. It is just one of many.

    https://nwfa.mybigcommerce.com/wood-species-print-version/

  • 2 years ago

    “If you want to know the reality, from the actual industry standard for it, then you will buy the industry reference manual. It is just one of many.”


    No. You shouldn’t even consider paying $60 for that unless you are an industry professional. Wood species variation and uses is well researched and there is little mystery there. Between the US Forestry Service and the USDA there are literally tens of thousands of pages of scientifically researched information that is free to the public.

    There is nothing in the wood species guide that isn’t readily available for free with a search engine.