Red Oak vs White Oak Flooring: Which is Better?

The average homeowner spends about $6,649 each year on home renovations and projects. Spending on projects around the house is a costly but essential undertaking for any homeowner, so you’re not alone when you decide that it’s time to switch things up inside your little corner of the world.

One of the most important parts of any home renovation is choosing new flooring. You’ll want something stylish, durable, and high-quality. When you look into materials that meet these qualifications, you’ll notice that all roads lead to oak.

Read on to discuss the difference between red oak and white oak flooring so that you can determine what kind of oak is right for your individual needs!

Color and Texture

The biggest difference between red oak and white oak is, of course, the color. Ironically, white oak flooring generally has a darker hue than red oak does. It tends to be a beige color that leans toward light brown. As a result of this, this wood tends to have a warm appearance that looks great with yellow, orange, or red wallpaper and decorations.

On the other hand, red oak is a bit lighter in color. It has a slightly pinkish tinge to it, but it’s more golden than not. While white oak is a brown-leaning beige, red oak could be said to be a white-leaning beige.

The grains of these two types of hardwood are also distinct from one another. All oak has swirling and wavy grain, giving it an organic and homelike feel. However, the grain of red oak tends to be a bit more unique insofar as that it’s more smooth to the touch.

When you run your fingers along white oak flooring, you’ll feel crevices and grooves where the grain is. However, since red oak is so smooth (especially after buffing and shining), you’ll be able to see the grain without feeling it.

Durability and Resistance

Because you’ll be using your flooring constantly, it’s essential that you get something that will last a long time.

The good news is that if you read more about oak flooring, you’ll find that every style is incredibly durable. Both materials are hard- white oak rates 1360 on the Janka scale of hardness and red oak comes in at 1290. This makes both types of flooring hard and durable enough that they’ll last for years barring disaster.

As you’ll notice in looking at the numbers, white oak is harder than red oak wood. For this reason, it doesn’t show dents or scratches. If you’re likely to drop things on the floor, you might want to go with white oak flooring. Not only that, but the high hardness means that the flooring is rot-resistant and unlikely to succumb to pest infestations.

Red oak is a bit softer. However, it’s unlikely to show dents and scratches on the surface because the grain patterns tend to be more organic. These crazy patterns continue to look amazing even when additional scratches are added because these imperfections just blend in with the grain.

The thing about red oak, though, is that it’s best for use indoors. It’s less resistant to rot and pests than white oak flooring is, though it should be alright as long as it isn’t used in an area with a lot of moisture. That isn’t to say that it won’t last a long time- it will! It just might be more susceptible to damage than the white oak alternative would be.

Styles and Vibes

Because of the smooth grain of red oak, people tend to view it as a classic that never goes out of style. Because of this, it’s perceived as a classier material for flooring that boasts a traditional style for your home. If you want to feel high-class, red oak is likely the way to go.

For this reason, red oak flooring is typically the right choice for homes that have a lot of antique furniture, rugs, or decorations. If you like history or vintage decorations, red oak flooring will perfectly complement your decor and make you feel like you’re in a bygone era. Pair your red oak flooring with some rich burgundy Victorian or Edwardian rugs as well as eggshell-white wall paint. It will look phenomenal.

On the other hand, you’ll want to use sleek white oak for a modern or contemporary feel around the house. White oak flooring is usually said to have a more 21st-century feel. This means that a house with a lot of technology or adherence to current trends will look great with this style.

Try getting yourself some organic, colorful lamps and statues in various shapes and sizes. In addition, you might want to paint the walls of the room that you use white oak flooring in a funky, bright color. Sky blue or canary yellow is sure the give the room a modern feel and funky flair that you love.