Woodwork’s English Oak Handmade Floors epitomize the pinnacle of craftsmanship and attention to detail in the realm of hardwood flooring. Each plank is meticulously crafted from the finest English Oak and undergoes a specialized quarter sawing process, enhancing both its durability and aesthetic appeal. What truly sets these floors apart, however, are the exquisite undulations meticulously infused into their surface. Whether showcasing gentle undulations that evoke the natural beauty of wood or hand-polished undulations that exude artisanal elegance, every Woodwork floor is a testament to the mastery of its creators.
Additionally, customers have the option to further customize their flooring experience with the choice of soft-rolled or hand-rolled edges, adding an extra layer of sophistication and refinement to their living spaces. The floors with our English Native Timbers collection offers discerning homeowners and designers the ability to elevate their interiors with unparalleled beauty and timeless elegance.
THE WISE OLD ENGLISH OAK
The English Oak is revered for being the finest in its species, slow grown over 1000 years resulting in a richer hue and tighter growth rings than in quicker grown woods. Woven into the history and folklore of England, growing to over 30 metres in height, their distinctive shape makes them easy to spot in the English landscape.
Prized for its strength and durability, the English Oak is an exceptional variety of wood, often chosen for architectural construction, and the traditional craftsmanship of furniture and shipbuilding. Due to being wilder, and more naturally grown, this wood features an incredible natural grain pattern throughout the logs.
THE ANCIENT METHOD OF QUARTER SAWING
All of our English Oak floors within the English Native Timbers collection undergo the traditional quarter sawing technique. One of the most expensive and high-end techniques of sawn timber. When a log is quarter sawn, it is cut into quarters and then sliced perpendicular to the growth rings. Quarter sawn wood often exhibits prominent medullary rays, often shimmering lines that run perpendicular to the grain.
Medullary rays, also known as pith rays or wood rays, are anatomical features present in wood that radiate outward from the center of a tree trunk or branch. In quarter sawn planks, these rays become more prominent due to the specific cutting technique employed. These rays play a crucial role in the structural integrity of the wood, as they are responsible for transporting water and nutrients horizontally across the tree. In addition to providing strength and stability, medullary rays also contribute to the unique visual appeal of quarter sawn wood, adding depth, texture, and character to the surface of the planks.
GENTLE UNDULATIONS vs HAND POLISHED UNDULATIONS
Gentle undulations are natural or lightly processed variations in the surface texture of the wood, often resulting from the grain pattern, growth rings, or slight irregularities in the wood's surface. These undulations can be found in our English Native Timber collection, specifically in our Argyll, Forecastle, Elswick and Roebuck floors.
In comparison, hand polished undulations are intentionally created by skilled craftsmen using hand tools such as planes, chisels, or sandpaper. The process involves carefully shaping and smoothing the wood to create deliberate undulations or curves in the surface. Hand-polished undulations are often more pronounced and refined compared to natural undulations, and they can give the wood a polished, artisanal appearance.
Whether natural or handcrafted, these undulations are highly sought after for their aesthetic appeal, as they lend a sense of warmth and authenticity to interior spaces. They create visual interest and depth, giving each plank its own individual identity throughout the entire floor area.
GALION, ENGLISH NATIVE TIMBERS COLLECTION
Our Galion planks boast impressive dimensions and rank among the largest in our Woodworks collections. Presented as a random-width floor, the varying widths add visual interest and pay homage to traditional pre-20th-century flooring. The narrower widths provide scale and proportion alongside the wider boards. This modest floor features skip-sawn marks, hand polished undulations and a soft rolled edge detail, finally finished with Burnished Hardwax Oil Satin. Maintaining this floor is effortless with our Floor Care System 2. Explore Galion.
FORECASTLE, ENGLISH NATIVE TIMBERS COLLECTION
The smooth surface of Forecastle brings the wood to life, allowing for a heightened appreciation of the quarter-sawn and rift-sawn cutting techniques employed. This reveals the intricate grain patterns and highlights the captivating medullary rays, showcasing the innate wonder of wood. Forecastle features naturally gentle undulations, hand rolled edge detail and a Naked Skin Lacquer finish, easily maintained with our Floor Care System 1. Explore Forecastle
ARGYLL, ENGLISH NATIVE TIMBERS COLLECTION
The latest edition to our English Native Timbers collection, Argyll.
Argyll's flawlessly smooth surface and natural undulations breathe vitality into the wood, fostering a deep connection with the quarter-sawn and rift-sawn cuts that define its composition. The intricate patterns of the grain and medullary rays take center stage. The result is nothing short of a masterpiece of sophistication. Each random width plank has a hand rolled edge detail, finished off with a finished with Burnished Hardwax Oil Matt, further augmenting its visual allure and extending its durability. Maintaining this exquisite floor is effortless with our Floor Care System 2. Explore Argyll.
For more information or to order a sample of our English Oak floors, contact a Woodworks Specification Consultant or fill in the enquiry form below.
