European oak for West Village townhouses and apartments: three selections, plank and herringbone sizes, finishes and installation.
Renovating in the West Village? Call Joe Avila at (908) 232-6600 or book a virtual consultation.
West Village townhouses are intimate: narrow lots, Federal and Greek Revival details, and rooms where every material is seen up close. European oak suits that scale. It has a fine, even grain and takes oil beautifully, which is why it is the backbone of many floors we supply. It is part of our wide plank collection and our herringbone floors.
What Makes European Oak Different
Our European oak is Quercus petraea, a solid wood from Europe, distinct from the American white oak in our range. It can be supplied unfinished for on-site finishing, or prefinished in UV oil or natural oil. Standard solid floors are 3/4 inch thick, with plank widths from 3 to 12 inches and random lengths from 2 to 10 feet, and custom thicknesses, wider boards and longer lengths on request. Compare it with American white oak.
Three Selections: Superior, Natural And Rustic
European oak comes in Superior, Natural and Rustic selections. Superior is the cleanest and is offered in widths of 141 to 151 millimeters (about 5 1/2 to 6 inches) and 181 to 191 millimeters (about 7 1/4 to 7 1/2 inches). Natural, with more character, comes in 141 to 146, 181 to 186 and 191 to 201 millimeter widths. Rustic shows the most knots and variation. A formal parlor floor usually calls for Superior, while a kitchen or garden level can carry Natural or Rustic. See our wide plank collection for more.
Herringbone In Three Cuts
European oak herringbone is 20 millimeters thick and 90 millimeters wide, made in three lengths: 700 millimeters for the Italian cut, 620 for the French and 660 for the Hungarian. The cut changes how the pattern reads, from a long, flowing zigzag to a tighter point. In a West Village townhouse hall or a narrow parlor, the right cut keeps the pattern in proportion to the room. Learn more in our herringbone collection, or compare with chevron.
Want European oak samples for your townhouse? Book a virtual consultation with Joe Avila.
Finishing European Oak
European oak responds well to oil and to color. The floor shown here, in a private residence in Manhattan, was finished in a custom color. Our custom color effects use low-VOC lyes, reactive stains and precolors, from white and grey through browns to black. For a natural look, Woca Denmark and Rubio Monocoat oils keep the grain visible with a matte surface. Samples are always laid on the floor before a final choice.
Installing In A Townhouse
Solid European oak is typically nailed, or nailed and glued, to a plywood subfloor, and for wide planks we recommend gluing and nailing where possible. In an older townhouse, joists and subfloors are checked first, since a fine floor is only as flat as what lies beneath it. Our installation team works to NWFA standards, and Joe Avila is NWFA certified as an inspector. See our services for details.
Ready to plan your European oak floor? Speak with Joe Avila.
Quick Answers
What species is European oak?
Quercus petraea, a solid hardwood from Europe, offered in Superior, Natural and Rustic selections.
What widths are available?
Straight planks run 141 to 191 millimeters wide, and standard solid planks from 3 to 12 inches, with wider on request.
Is European oak available in herringbone?
Yes. It is 90 millimeters wide in Italian, French and Hungarian cuts.
Can it be prefinished?
Yes. It can be supplied unfinished or prefinished in UV oil or natural oil.
Begin Your European Oak Floor With Joe Avila
Call (908) 232-6600, email joe@hugginsflooring.com, or book a virtual consultation. Explore herringbone, chevron, wide plank and parquet floors, or our sanding and refinishing and NWFA inspection services.
About The Author
Joe Avila is the founder of Huggins Wood Floor Specialist and leads New York City Wood Floors, a Huggins Wood Floor Specialist brand. He brings 26 years in wood flooring, is NWFA certified (CSI, CI, CWFI, CFS), and teaches AIA, IDCEC and ASID continuing-education courses. See his certifications.
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Contact New York City Wood Floors
Email: joe@hugginsflooring.com
Phone Number: 908-232-6600
Address: 406B West Broad Street, Westfield, NJ, 07090
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