White Oak Vs. Red Oak Flooring: Which Is Best?

Red oak and white oak are trendy hardwood flooring options for oak wood floors. They’re both beautiful and add some character to your home. While both are wonderful, people typically wonder if one may be better than the other.

White Oak is more popular than red oak for flooring as it is easier to match, and has long and linear graining. Red oak, on the other hand has a pink tone to it, is wider set, and has uneven grains. White oak is harder and more durable than Red Oak, but red oak is more affordable.

Choosing the correct oak flooring for your home is serious business! Below, we compare the two so that you can better determine which is best for you.

The variation is barely discernible to the untrained eye. However, here’s how to tell red oak flooring from white oak flooring.

While red oak has a slight pink tone, white oak does have a browner and frequently yellow tint. And it depends on the stain color used, but the color difference between them can be noticeable. T

The darker the stain, the less visible the pink or yellow undertones–but with softer stains, you can still see the pinkish hue of red oak.

Unless you already have oak wood floors in your household and need to repair them or extend them into another room, it’s best to match the color and stain consistency. Otherwise, your flooring will look sloppy.

Red oak and white oak may appear similar to the untrained eye, but if you look closely, you’ll notice that the grains are distinct.

White oak grains are longer, more linear, and densely compacted, with very few swirly patterns; red oak grains are shorter, wider, and frequently form wavy patterns.

Because of the less variation in the grain, white oak is a better choice for a more unified, less busy floor.

When white oak is quarter sawn, it shows off the large ray flecks that indirectly contribute to the grain; however, it is not a very prevalent type of white oak flooring.

Many people are concerned about water damage on hardwood floors. Because no hardwood flooring type is completely waterproof, both red and white oak can be susceptible to water damage.

However, because it is a closed-grain wood, white oak withstands water significantly better. White oak is preferable for areas that will be subjected to spills and other types of water exposure.

If you are installing floors in an area where water leaks are not a major concern, you can still use red oak flooring.

White oak will admit stains more uniformly due to its denser structure. Having said that, most oak flooring manufacturers offer pre-stained pieces of wood in both red and white oak that has been quality controlled for even staining.

We always recommend hiring an experienced professional to personalize stain unfinished oak flooring from either type.

It’s also worth noting that because red and white oak has different undertones, specific stain colors will work better than others.

For example, if you want a gray stain, white oak’s yellowish undertones work a lot better with gray than red oak’s pink undertones.

If you can’t obtain an end grain sample or want to double-check, you can perform a patch test on an area of untreated, raw oak wood. You will need to do this with a 10% sodium nitrate solution (1 cup of water to 4 teaspoons sodium nitrate).

After about 25 minutes, the spot on white oak will have a dark greenish-purple color. On the other hand, the patch on red oak will have a mildly darker tone than the rest of the piece of wood.

You can also buy oak testing kits, which require you to simply add some wood shavings to the solution and then observe any changes in color.

So you now understand the differences between red and white oak flooring and how to tell them apart.

Red oak vs. white oak flooring is always a matter of design and personal taste. Because of its elegant and straightforward wood grain, white oak is the more popular choice.

The colors range from beige to medium brown and complement all neutral wall paint, kitchen cabinets, and accent pieces. White oak is an excellent choice for modern or contemporary homes.

Red oak stands out due to its subtle red or rose-colored undertones and wavy grains. It adds a splash of color to rooms that are predominantly white or muted earth tones.

If you intend to stain the floor white or gray, white oak is the better choice. Both will work for medium to dark stain colors.

Finally, when deciding between red oak and white oak flooring, follow your design instincts. Choose the oak species with the most appealing tint and grain pattern for you.

Please keep in mind that matching hardwood is more complicated than simply matching red oak vs. white oak.

There are also differences in the grades of hardwood flooring (e.g., select grade vs. No 1 vs. No 2 vs. quarter-sawn).

If you are unsure about the type of flooring you have, it is best to consult with a hardwood flooring specialist.

Also, keep in mind that you can darken both red oak and white oak flooring. They both react differently to stain colors, so it’s critical to test them on your floors.

White oak has a darker and browner appearance, whereas red oak has a lighter appearance with red undertones.

The red undertones are more noticeable in red oak with lighter stains; the darker the stain, the more the pink/red is drowned out.

Now that we’ve discussed the substantial differences between red oak and white oak floors, you’ll discover that both oak floors are aesthetically pleasing and extremely durable.

Before deciding on a specific oak floor type for your home, consider the pros and cons of each to make sure you’re making the right decision.

Each of these varieties has distinct characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, making it much easier for you to determine the best option for your situation.

White oak floors are perceived to have a more beautiful finished appearance. However, once darker stains are applied, you’ll discover that the distinction between the two (in terms of visual appeal) will not really matter all that much.

If you’re working with a limited budget, red oak may be the better option. It is also commonly accessible in most parts of the country, removing the need for you to search for them.