Outstanding Qualities of White Oak Hardwood Flooring

07/12/2021

If you are in the market for new oak hardwood flooring, red and white oak are two excellent choices. There is no denying the fact that both these options have an incomparable aesthetic appeal, and hence, are extremely popular. However, it has been observed that white oak has outpaced white oak in terms of popularity in the recent years.

As most you may already know, red oak and white oak are the two species of oak that are significantly different from each other. Talking about the differences between the two species, compared to red oak, white oak is actually darker and a bit browner. Red oak has a slightly lighter colour and comes with pink undertones. Also, the grains present in white oak are smoother compared to the ones found in red oak.

In most regions around the world, white oak trees are not as abundant as red oak. In terms of growth, red oak generally grows taller as well as wider than white oak. As red oak is available in wider sizes, it is easier to find them in large select grade pieces. The price difference between the two variants is insignificant for smaller strips of oak.  However, for larger pieces, white oak is generally more expensive than red oak.

Mentioned below are some of the most compelling factors behind the rising popularity of white oak hardwood flooring.

• As the white variant has less graining compared to the red one, it is considered to be more contemporary. The growth rings in white oak are clustered together, making the graining smoother and providing a more uniform flow. White oak is also a bit more linear in its pattern because it contains more mineral streaks, making it more up to date in terms of style.
• White oak is harder and more durable than red oak. The hardness of red and white oak on the janka hardness scale is 1290 and 1360 respectively. Therefore, when it comes to denting, white oak is a bit more resilient. In addition to red oak, the hardness of white oak is also greater than white ash, and American cherry and walnut. Another great quality of white oak hardwood is its ability to effectively hide dents and scratches.
• White oak can successfully pull off formal, casual, as well as contemporary looks because of its ability to complement deep grey/brown and pale white tones. This versatile variety of wood also stains very well.
• Being a closed-grain wood, white oak has significant water resistance property. This is why white oak is an excellent choice for moisture prone areas such as kitchen and bathroom.
• Despite its beauty and popularity, white oak is not an exotic wood. It is found in many parts around the world, and is reasonably priced.
• White oak is available in large variety of patterns and colours. White oak hardwood flooring can be treated with many different techniques to distress the surface, creating an antique and weathered look. When treated with hand scraping, saw marks, and wire brushing technology, the graining and knotholes provide an interesting character to it.

At Enoak, we offer the most authentic artisan French oak flooring with a wide range of finishes and styles. Please contact us to find out more about your Oak hardwood flooring choices.