White Oak vs. Red Oak Flooring: Key Differences

One of the most often used hardwood flooring materials is oak, which gives any home coziness, personality, and flair. It is immune to fungus and insect assaults because of its high tannin content. Oak has got used in many homes and structures because of these qualities for exquisite furniture construction and interior paneling.

Many people are unaware that the two prevalent kinds of oak, red and white oak flooring, differ greatly regarding hardwood flooring. In addition to the apparent color difference, they vary in terms of pricing, texture, hardness, and grain pattern. Making an informed decision requires considering each one’s key qualities and distinctions.

Key differences and factors to consider

There are certain important characteristics and considerations to make while deciding between red oak and white oak flooring. Find out what suits your house best, whether it’s graining or water resistance.

Difference in Colour

An inexperienced eye would hardly detect the color change. However, here’s how to clearly distinguish between red and white oak flooring.

The color is the most notable distinction between Red and White Oak flooring. The color of Red Oak has more overtones of pink and salmon, whereas White Oak is surprisingly darker and more beige and brownish. The pink or yellow undertones are less noticeable in heavier stains, but the pinkish tint of red oak is still visible in lighter stains. For color and stain consistency, it’s ideal to match the existing white or red oak if you have oak hardwood floors in your house and need to repair damage or expand them into a nearby room. In any other case, your flooring would seem uneven.

Grain Patterns

The appearance of wood flooring gets influenced by the grain pattern, which many refer to as “nature’s hardwood design.” Some would describe red oak as wild since its grain lines are often more extensive and varied. White oak seems smoother to the untrained eye because of its tighter grain lines. For busy homes or areas with much foot activity, the strong graining in red oaks may get helpful in concealing scratches. Choosing red over white might be smart move if you want gorgeous oak flooring that effectively conceals minor wear and tear.

Hardness level

Whitewood is rated at 1360 on the Janka hardness scale, whereas red oak gets rated at 1290. Even though it can seem simple to choose the more difficult density of white oak, there is a little difference, so if you prefer the look, red oak might still be a better choice.

Durability

When selecting a hardwood for your flooring, durability is an important consideration, and white oak offers this benefit over other types. It isn’t true for scratches, either, as the quality and polish of the wood dictate how resilient it is to them. When properly cared for, types are resilient and can endure for many years.

Water-Resistant

White oak’s pores and tight grain make it water-resistant. In contrast, red oak features bigger pores and open grains readily absorb water. When selecting the hardwood for a basement that is prone to mold and moisture, this is a crucial consideration. Red oak works best in living rooms and bedrooms that aren’t exposed to the outdoors or water, whereas white oak flooring would be perfect for these spaces.

The cost

Due to various circumstances, the price varies weekly, just like any other natural resource. However, there isn’t much price difference between red and white oak flooring options. Depending on timber availability, red oak can be more economical one week, and white oak the next. What matters most is the type of flooring you choose to install, including the brand, quality, and even the plank’s width.

Workability

You could see variations in how each species feels in your hands and how the machines respond to them when you work with either species. Because white oak is naturally hard, even a minor dullness can cause a saw blade to burn, chatter, or skip. In addition to being more fragile than red oak, white oak will splinter or break if it gets inserted into a blade too quickly. Red oak is less likely than white oak to crack or shatter because it cuts more smoothly and has a somewhat flexible texture. It is much simpler to carve redwood with hand tools like chisels.