Located off the coast of Kochi, we recently completed a beautiful residential project where we installed solid white oak.

Inspired by Balinese residential architecture, the client wanted to replicate certain principle elements such as open-air living spaces that allows for natural ventilation and creates a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor areas.

In order to achieve this we decided to go for a timber with a lighter shade such as white oak. Light-colored wooden flooring tends to reflect more light, making rooms appear brighter and more spacious. This can create a sense of openness and airiness.

 Light coloured wooden flooring also adds warmth and character to a room. It creates a welcoming atmosphere that enhances the overall comfort of the space.

We at Westwood Floorings decided to go with wider 120mm pieces that can visually expand the perceived size of a room, making it feel larger and more open.

The challenge with using wider planks of white oak, a timber that does not boast dimensional stability in a tropical area is the contraction and expansion that may happen as the seasons change.

We tackled this problem by first doing a proper Kiln dry seasoning from our end. The equilibrium moisture content for the wood to be installed in a climate like Kerala is 13.8%. We kiln dried up to11% and let it gradually reach the equilibrium point. Another important aspect when installing such wide pieces is to keep the dimensional stability in mind. The wider the pieces, the thicker they should be.

The Westwood team prepared the subfloor with Bona H600. Bona H600 is a cementitious, acrylic polymer enhanced, self-smoothing, rapid hardening levelling compound. By sealing the subfloor and creating a barrier against moisture infiltration, levelling compound reduces the risk of warping, swelling, or rotting of the wood.

Westwood fastened the planks to the floor using specialised silane-based adhesives from Bona, specifically Bona Quantum. It offers the advantages of both hard-elastic and hard adhesives in a single product.

 Once the sanding was done, we finished the floor with Bona Traffic HD Raw. This distinct floor finish allows users to get as close to an unfinished look and feel as possible while still maintaining exceptional durability. The extremely low, ultra matte sheen is consistent from all angles and produces a smooth, soft, natural surface with the feel of raw wood beneath your feet, another principle element of Balinese style architecture.