White Oak Floor Finishes of the 1920s

Identification

• White oak flooring was popular in the 1920s, and many older homes still have this original hardwood. The pleasing, bright color went with many furniture choices. Usually, the oak hardwood was installed in the kitchen, dining and living rooms, though sometimes the bedrooms would have oak flooring as well. Oftentimes, the planks of the oak hardwood could be as wide as 12 inches, unlike modern, smaller hardwood flooring planks.

Benefits

• Oak flooring lasts longer than carpet and some other hardwoods. Homes with oak flooring from the 1920s are still found today, as long as the owners have cared for the flooring. Oak flooring was popular because it was less expensive than other woods, yet was just as, if not more, durable. White oak is harder than red oak, and the light color brightens a room. It won’t warp or shrink like other hardwoods or laminates, even if liquid is spilled on it, as it’s impermeable to spills. Another reason some homes still have the home’s original oak flooring is because of its ability to withstand mold and pests.

Care and Maintenance

• Maintaining the beauty of original 1920s white oak flooring is essential, though not too difficult. Place a rug over areas of high traffic to avoid excessive wear. Also, to help maintain the old floors, don’t wear shoes in the house when possible. Spot-clean with a mild soap or a hardwood floor cleaner that works for your finish. Vacuum and sweep your floors regularly, but don’t mop them, as this could result in permanent damage. Don’t use wax, bleach or ammonia on your 1920s oak floors.

Considerations

• If you’re refinishing the oak floor or thinking of purchasing a 1920s home with white oak flooring, keep in mind that small scratches and stains can be fixed simply by replacing one or two panels. Rarely will the entire floor need to be completely redone. You can often retain most of the original, antique floorboards. If you’re not comfortable replacing an entire board, you could purchase a hardwood floor repair kit instead. Fill sticks and touch-up pens also work for fixing small blemishes.