Simply Oak™ Lookbook: Premium, bespoke, pre-finished European White Oak wood flooring

SIMPLY OAK™ is your unmatched source for premium, bespoke, pre-finished European White Oak wood flooring.

At SIMPLY OAK™, we custom make a range of sustainably sourced, luxury European White Oak flooring. This is an exclusive, boutique line, imported directly from Europe. Our products are developed and tailored specifically for the architectural, designer, and custom home builder communities. In addition to residential installations, we supply material to commercial projects. Our clients include Faberge, Google, Netflix, Superdry, and many others. Our precut wood products have been installed in 60+ countries worldwide.

Our wood is FSC and PEFC™ certified, and we use low VOC, non-toxic, hard wax oils to pre-finish our floors in The Netherlands.

SIMPLY OAK™ offers a variety of finishes, from contemporary to antiqued. All of our wood flooring is available in 3/4” solid, 3/4” engineered, 5/8”, or 12 mm thicknesses.

3/4” (20mm) SOLID HARDWOOD FLOORS:

Each floorboard is a single piece of solid oak wood in 3/4"(20 mm) thickness.

Available in widths ranging from 4.13" through 15.16". Lengths are available in 3- to 10-foot segments.

with or without micro-bevelled edges

optional surface treatment

total 20mm thick

3/4” (20mm) ENGINEERED HARDWOOD FLOORS:

Engineered hardwood floorboards are made by combining several layers of wood into one durable floorboard. Our engineered floorboards feature a 6 mm wear layer. This top layer is glued to a 14 mm thick birchwood multiplex base. The result is a stable and durable floorboard that is 3/4” thick. A major advantage of this product is that it can easily be used with underfloor heating and cooling.

Available in widths ranging from 4.13" through 15.16". Lengths are available in 3- to 10-foot segments.

total 20mm thick

A PRACTICAL ADVANTAGE OF ENGINEERED FLOORS

The multi-layered composition makes engineered floorboards very stable, so they are less prone to seasonal expansion and contraction. This trait makes the flooring better suited for underfloor heating and cooling than solid woods floorboards.

The only species we use for the top layer of our engineered wood is European White Oak. This 6 mm wear layer is affixed to a 14 mm birch wood multiplex base which is not visible once the flooring is installed.

Whether you select engineered or solid wood, there are many exciting color and pattern selections from which to choose.

DEVELOPING AND ENHANCING THE NATURAL COLORS OF OAK THE

FUMING OF OAK

Oak is commonly fumed/smoked to darken the wood and enhance the grain pattern. This process involves placing the oak inside a sealed chamber, and then a small amount of ammonia gas is introduced. During exposure, the ammonia reacts with the tannins present in the wood to achieve the darker coloring.

European White Oak is the preferred wood for fuming because of its naturally high tannin content. Tannins are natural compounds produced by many plant species to ward off predators. Fumed oak is also called smoked oak.

THE FUMING OF OAK

Natural color variation will occur because each piece of wood is unique. Some pieces of wood have higher tannin content near the surface, so those pieces become darker, faster. Also, the longer the floorboards remain in the chamber, the darker they become — from rich brown to virtually black colors. The temperature in the chamber also affects the color. Hotter temperatures typically introduce red tones, while cooler temperature produce green tones. This allows for more variation and creativity in the fuming process.

Fuming is colorfast and does not obscure the grain pattern of the oak, but it is not a precise process. If you require consistency of color but still desire the richness of fumed wood, Simply Oak™ also offers fumed products that are color-sorted.

SINGLE SMOKED - The single smoked process gives the oak a light brown color. Single smoking adds extra character to your oak flooring.

DOUBLE SMOKED - Double smoking gives the oak flooring a dark brown finish. It will look like it has naturally aged.

European White Oak is the preferred species for fuming/smoking because of its high tannin content. American White Oak can be fumed, but it will react less intensely, is more likely to turn greenish, and the variations are more difficult to control.

As with all fumed/smoked floors, the color at delivery is often a little darker than expected. The floors will lighten naturally to their final color in about 60 days.

CUSTOM COLOR

FUMING / SMOKING

Smoking/fuming was discovered accidentally in England when oak boards, that were stored in a stable, darkened while exposed to the ammonia fumes released by the horse urine. This happy accident became a traditional technique that has been used for centuries across Europe. Consumers there are accustomed to the beautiful variations, which can surprise many people unfamiliar with the technique.

Oak from western Europe, especially French and German oak, has a higher tannin content than oak from eastern Europe or the Russian Far East. Wood from farther north along the same longitude also has a higher tannin content than wood from farther south.

REACTIVE STAINS

Using reactive stains is an excellent method of creating an aged look in new wood. The stains replicate the oxidative processes that occur in wood exposed to the elements. Reactive stains are also called active stains.

Like fuming, reactive stains take advantage of naturally occurring compounds in the wood. Rather than adding color, like traditional stains do, reactive stains use chemicals that react with tannins, sugars, and other compounds in the wood. And, unlike fuming, the process is wet. That is, a wet substance is applied directly to the wood.

Differences in the tannin and sugar content between boards result in color variations. However, the grain structure will also allow some areas to absorb more of the reactive stain than others. This results in significant variation even within the same floorboard. Rather than being seen as a defect, the variations appear natural, as if time and nature colored the wood. Wide variations within individual boards blend together to create a unified look across your floor.

SIMPLY OAK™ currently uses Floorservice and Osmo hardwax-oils as pre-finishing treatments.

As with all oiled floors, the color at delivery is often a little bit lighter than the final product. The floors will darken naturally to their final color in about 60 days.

CUSTOM COLOR

DOUBLE-SMOKED WHITE

OVERCOMING ‘VARIATION SHOCK’

No matter how carefully the lumber is sourced, variation is inevitable. Even within a relatively small forest, tannin content can vary dramatically. It can vary even within the same log. Consumers looking for a floor with a uniform color should generally steer away from fumed/smoked wood.

That said, Simply Oak™ does offer fumed/smoked products that are colorsorted for greater consistency.

Also note that color variations in wood flooring are a natural occurrence due to species, age, character of flooring, and exposure to UV light. Normal exposure to sunlight will bring out changes in color and shading in any wood product. For these reasons, new or replacement flooring may not match existing flooring or display samples. This is not considered a product defect.

PATTERN OPTIONS

Wood floors are commonly laid out in a straight pattern. However, Simply Oak™ flooring is available in Herringbone, Chevron, and Parquet patterns too. These patterns take more effort to cut and install than straight floorboards, but the effects add excitement and beauty to any home or business.

HERRINGBONE

The Romans may have initiated the use of Herringbone patterns underfoot. Ancient architects in the Eternal City discovered that laying bricks in a herringbone pattern (called ”opus spicatum") increased the beauty and stability of highly trafficked roadways. Some of these roads still exist today — a tribute to their durability.

The pattern itself is said to resemble the bones of a fish. Crosscut floorboards are arranged with the short end touching the next board's long edge. This arrangement often resembles the letter "L" and gives the floor a zigzag and blockish appearance.

CHEVRON

The Chevron pattern is similar to Herringbone, but cleaner. Instead of square ends as in the Herringbone pattern, the panels are mitered to form a sharp "V" or arrow motif when laid end to end. This creates a straight seam between planks as opposed to the zippered look of Herringbone. This results in a fluid zigzag across your floor.

PARQUET

Parquet patterns are geometrical and often angular — squares, triangles, lozenges — but they may also contain curves. These are the most intricate and the most intriguing of the flooring patterns available. The term parquet (pronounced par-KAY) means "little park" in French. During the Renaissance, parquetry became popular as an economical replacement to heavy, marble flooring. These beautiful patterns were laid specifically under thrones and other seats of honor, in order to visually demarcate those areas. At present, parquet floors grace homes, offices, and even basketball courts. Make them a part of your castle.

EDGE OPTIONS

Wood floorboards have two long edges and two short ends. Picking the best style for your edges is crucial to your satisfaction. So, at SIMPLY OAK™, we offer several choices.

Micro Bevel - Sometimes called an eased edge or kissed edge, a micro bevel is a 45-degree cut that produces a small groove along the edges of installed floorboards. When two micro-bevel floorboards meet, these micro-bevels create an almost imperceptible "V" shape. Micro-beveling camouflages small imperfections in the wood, such as pin knots, and a common problem called "over-wood." Over-wood occurs when one floorboard must be laid slightly higher than adjacent boards. The micro-beveled edge creates a smoother transition from the higher floorboard to its neighbors, giving the appearance of a flatter floor.

EDGE OPTIONS

Full Bevel Edge - Full bevel edge floors feature a larger, more pronounced groove, with the individual floorboards becoming clearly delineated. A full bevel edge is often combined with sculpted or hand- scraped effects. This combination results in a stunning, time-worn appearance.

Square Edge Floorboards - Square Edge floorboards fit flush on all the sides. This results in a sleek transition that appears almost seamless. The finished look is exceptionally uniform and appealing to the eye. Because square edge wood flooring is less common than beveled or micro-beveled flooring, it gives an exclusive look and feel to your floors. This edging is appropriate for modern or formal room settings. Without beveled edges, the almost seamless joints produce a floor that appears as if it were made from a single piece of wood.

SURFACE FINISH OPTIONS

There is something special about walking on a quality wooden floor with bare feet; it just feels so enjoyable and comforting. It's a real sensory treat. SIMPLY OAK™ offers several finishes which add texture to the floorboards.

Distressed Finish - This finish uses a hand-cut bevel and sort-surface scarring which results in an aged, lived-in appearance. A specialist applies random imperfections that would otherwise take many years to accumulate naturally from use. This gives the floor an aged character that contrasts beautifully with modern furnishings or complements a rustic interior. That’s the power of distressed flooring.

Finesawn & Brushed- Wooden floorboards distinguish themselves through their beautiful, natural structure: the grain. If you would like to accentuate this feature, then the fine sawn and/or brushed finishes are perfect for you. The finesawn & brushed option combines natural richness and grain with a velvety surface that feels truly delightful underfoot. Beautiful knots and dramatic marks give the floor real depth, texture, and character.

Not everything in life has to be genteel and delicate. With its distinctive bandsaw-treated surface, this option features a finely irregular structure and coarse-looking stripes that create a tough, true-grit appearance. The result is a vibrant living or working space that’s simply bursting with energy, character, and vitality.

FINISH OPTIONS

Brushed - This treatment uses a rough brush machine to emphasize to the characteristic wooden grain, while maintaining a soft, velvety texture. Brushed hardwood floors enhance the wood’s natural and charming luster. Yet, even the best can be improved upon. When choosing this finish, consider adding a colored oil as well. Colored oils penetrate deep into the wood’s veins, bringing out a mesmerizing color contrast.

Hand Burnt - Each individual floorboard is hand burnt and then wire-brushed to accentuate the wood’s natural grain and texture. The idea is to create a floor that appears incredibly old, as if worn down by foot traffic until each floorboard has a soft, undulating character. This unique, weathered look is the result of an intense process that involves no fewer than 17 different treatments. The hand burnt floors are inspired by life at its most raw, and the result is something truly exceptional.

At Simply Oak™, we use only the highest quality materials, sourced from responsibly managed forests. All products are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC™ (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified. FSC and PEFC™ certifications ensure that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.

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BIOPHIC DESIGN

Biophilic Design is an approach to architecture that seeks to connect building occupants more closely to nature.

Biophilic designed buildings incorporate things like natural lighting, ventilation, natural landscape features and other elements. By consciously including nature in interior or architectural design, we are unconsciously reconnecting, bringing the great outdoors into our constructed world.

Today’s green-building efforts include occupant health and well-being alongside environmental sustainability. Wood’s association with positive environmental and human health impacts makes it an economical and advantageous building material selection.

Don’t just think floors… think WALLS and CEILINGS too…

Simply Oak™ can provide material for all.

We offer most of our material on three different platforms:

3/4” (20mm) (with a full 6mm wear layer)

5/8” (15mm) (with a full 4mm wear layer)

12mm (with a full 3mm wear layer)

How can Simply Oak™ enhance your designs and connect the occupants more closely to nature?

SIMPLY OAK™ NOTABLE FACTS

• 100% family owned and operated, since 1905.

• Current organization was established in 1952.

• All materials are custom made to order by master craftsmen in Schijndel, The Netherlands.

• Our products, for the most, part, are finished by hand.

• Flooring is fully produced by us, from raw lumber to finished floorboards.

• Available in 80 colors.

• Offered in 3/4” solid, 3/4’ engineered, 5/8”, and 12 mm thicknesses.

• Installed in residential and commercial spaces in 60 countries.

• Awarded “Best Dutch” wooden floor producer 2017-18.

• Employs 200+ people.

• 240,000 square feet of warehouse space.

• 110,000 square feet of production halls/spaces.

• Eight conventional kiln dryers and one vacuum dryer.

• Awarded Best European White Oak Supplier USA, BUILD Architecture Awards 2021.

• Awarded Best Luxury Home Oak Flooring Company, BUILD Home Builder Awards 2022.

• Awarded Leading Suppliers of White Oak Flooring Products, BUILD Architecture Awards 2022.

• Awarded Best Luxury Home Oak Flooring Company, BUILD Home Builder Awards 2023.

WE AT SIMPLY OAK™ GO TO EXTRAORDINARY LENGTHS TO GIVE OUR WOODEN FLOORING A UNIQUE LOOK. WE ARE PERFECTIONISTS WHEN IT COMES TO SELECTING THE RAW MATERIALS FOR OUR FLOORS AND TO EMPLOYING TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP IN THEIR PRODUCTION.

WE CHALLENGE CONVENTIONAL THINKING AS WE PRESENT OUR PRODUCTS TO CLIENTS WORLDWIDE. ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS SPECIFICALLY DEMAND OUR FLOORING FOR USE IN COMMERCIAL PROJECTS SUCH AS HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, BARS, SHOPS, OFFICES, AND MORE.

SIMPLY OAK™ WOODEN FLOORS ARE MADE IN THE MOST SUSTAINABLE MANNER POSSIBLE. THERE IS A CONTINUOUS EVALUATION OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS FROM A TO Z, AND 100% GREEN ENERGY IS GENERATED BY THE CLEAN WASTE MATERIAL.

IT IS ALL IN THE INGREDIENTS...

• WE OBTAIN WOOD ONLY FROM FORESTS THAT ARE RESPONSIBLY MANAGED AND FSC®-OR PEFC™-CERTIFIED.

• WE USE SOLVENT-FREE, WATER-BASED, NATURAL FINISHES THAT COMPLY WITH CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

• STORAGE, DRYING, PROFILING, OILING, AND PACKAGING ARE COMPLETED AT ONE FACILITY — AVOIDING NEEDLESS TRANSPORTATION.

• THE ENERGY USED FOR PRODUCTION IS GENERATED FROM CLEAN TIMBER WASTE CREATED IN THE MILLING PROCESS. IT IS 100% RECYCLED GREEN ENERGY.

• WE BECAME ENERGY INDEPENDENT WHEN WE OPENED OUR OWN BIO PLANT IN 1997.

• OUR ELECTRICITY DEMAND IS LOWER THAN WHAT WE PRODUCE, SO THE SURPLUS ENERGY IS PUMPED INTO THE DUTCH NATIONAL GRID. THIS AMOUNTS TO APPROXIMATELY 1,300 KILOWATTS PER HOUR, AND IS ENOUGH TO SUPPLY 3,500 HOMES WITH POWER.

• WE DO NOT BELIEVE IN WASTE. GOOD QUALITY WOOD CHIPS ARE GIVEN A SECOND LIFE AND BY-PRODUCTS SUCH AS PAPER, STEEL, COFFEE FILTERS, TEA BAGS, PLASTIC TIES AND OTHER MAN-MADE MATERIALS ARE ALL GATHERED SEPARATELY AND ARE TRANSPORTED TO THE RELEVANT RECYCLING PLANTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH DELIVERIES TO CLIENTS.

• WE BELIEVE IN OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY. CLIENTS AND VISITORS ARE INVITED TO GO TO VISIT OUR FACTORY AND BIO ENERGY PLANT, THUS SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE AND INITIATING DIALOGUE.

Simply Oak™ President Victoria Player has over 13 years of experience, working alongside international architects and designers in the flooring marketplace. She has successfully completed hundreds of installations in the United States and throughout the world.

Her focus is to remain an industry leader as the company seeks new products to offer and provides first-rate customer service to clients around the world.

Simply Oak™ has excellent contacts in the architect and design sectors, to ensure that your needs are met.

"We are proud of our company, what we stand for, and what we are able to offer our clients — from the quality of our products, to customer service, support, and beyond."

— Victoria Player

GRADING DESCRIPTIONS

Sample

•Knots up to max 15 mm

•Cracks up to max 20 mm

•Light colour differences

•Sapwood

•End cracks

•Insect damage

•Centre core

•Ingrown bark

•Grown defects

•Mechanical defects

Sample

•Knots up to max 40 mm

•Cracks up to max 20 mm

•Natural colour differences

• Sapwood up to max 10 mm

•End cracks

•Insect damage

•Centre core

•Ingrown bark

•Grown defects

•Mechanical defects

PRIME GRADE

SELECT (RUSTIC A)

GRADING DESCRIPTIONS

•A mixture of approx. 50% Rustic A and 50 % Rustic B

•A mixture of approx. 50% Rustic A and 50 % Rustic B

•Knots up to max 80 mm

•Open defects up to max 60 mm

•Cracks up to 400 mm

•Sapwood up to max 25 mm

•Centre core

• Grown defects up to max 10 mm

•Natural colour differences

• Insect damage

• Mechanical defects

•Ingrown bark

RUSTIC MIX

RUSTIC B