When it comes to hardwood flooring, oak is one of the most popular choices for homeowners. But should you choose red or white oak for your home?
1) Colour
As the name suggests, red oak has a slightly red tint to it and is slightly lighter than white oak. White oak is slightly browner, darker and has a yellow tint. Because of the difference in colour and density, they absorb stains differently.
2) Grain
Red oak has a stronger grain than white oak, while white oak looks smoother. The strong graining of the red oak hides scratches better and looks more rustic, whereas white oak is less busy.
3) Hardness
White oak tends to be harder than red oak: white oak is 1360 on the Janka hardness scale and red oak is 1290.
4) Water resistance
If moisture is an issue, try white oak, as it is more water resistant than red oak because of its closed grain. Most of its pores are closed, and it’s less likely to get damaged.
Check out some of our other suggestions for hardwood flooring from Bigelow Flooring in Guelph.
