Hardwood flooring is a popular choice among homeowners. However, not all hardwoods are the same. Red Oak and White Oak are among the most popular hardwood choices; while they are both Oak, they have significant differences.
How exactly do they differ from each other?
Color
Despite what their names suggest, white oak is darker than Red Oak. White Oak has a mix of browns and tans, and Red Oak has salmon and red tones. While there are differences in their color, this difference is not as noticeable once a stain is applied. If the stain is a medium or dark color, the flooring will look similar. If the desired stain is gray, as this has become a popular flooring trend, White Oak will be the more appropriate choice.
Durability
Our home’s flooring is prone to scratches and dents with our busy lifestyles and pets; therefore, the durability of hardwood flooring is an important consideration when choosing new flooring. When determining the durability of a hardwood, its rating on the Janka scale is used to determine the hardness of the wood. According to this scale, White Oak is slightly harder, at 1360, while Red Oak has a score of 1290.
These scores can also impact how the flooring is used. Hardwood flooring with a higher score on the Janka scale is often used for high-traffic areas or outdoor spaces, as they are more prone to damage.
Despite their different scores on the Janka scale, both Red Oak and White Oak are great options for high-traffic areas.
Density
Wood flooring’s density has a strong correlation with its strength and durability. Therefore, White Oak has a higher density of 47 lbs/ft3 as compared to Red Oak which has a density of 45 lbs/ft3.
Many homeowners already have hardwood flooring in their homes, but want to refresh it. Knowing the type of hardwood installed is essential to establish a plan. It is often challenging for homeowners to know this if the home’s flooring was installed by a previous owner. However, Verre Flooring’s experts can help you determine the species of flooring in your home with a simple test. If you are considering making the change to oak hardwood flooring or what to refresh your existing floor, Verre Flooring can help you choose what is best for your home! Contact us today!
