Whether it’s used for furniture and cabinets or flooring and stair parts, hardwoods are considered to be the industry standard. Even with newer flooring options like vinyl or laminate, homeowners still prefer the beauty and durability of hardwood products. A couple of hardwoods that lead that industry are white and red oak hardwoods. This is especially true as their qualities are similar to each other as they are within the oak species.
There is one important thing to note. White and Red Oaks are a specific species of hardwood that has multiple sub-species within their respective groups. So when buying oak hardwoods, homeowners will buy a type of oak that is within the white or red oak group that they chose. Rather than a specific type of tree, homeowners are actually buying white oak vs red oak’s group characteristics. These characteristics can range from durability and water resistance to natural coloration and stain customization.
How Durable Is White Oak?
Trees of the white oak species are a type of domestic hardwood that grows abundantly throughout the states. Despite hickory and maple having a higher Janka Rating for durability, white oak is considered the better choice. This is due to hickory’s and maple’s qualities making them more affected by moisture than white oak.
White Oak vs Red Oak
Due to white and red oak belonging to the oak hardwood species, they have very similar characteristics. However, there are key differences in each type of hardwood which provide their own specific benefits.
White Oak Characteristics:
- Extremely Durable: White oak has a Janka Rating of 1360, making it slightly more durable than red oak. What’s more, it’s tight, linear grain also helps to hide wear and tear markings like scratches. White oak’s durability made it a perfect fit for the construction of The USS Constitution, a 18th-century warship. Keep in mind that since white oak is a very hard material, improper installation can shorten its lifespan. Without suitable foundations and fitting support, your hardwoods will start to crack.
- Water-Resistant: The closed grain of white oak helps it to resist water damage than its more porous red oak counterpart. This ability benefits homeowners as white oak’s hardy nature makes it less vulnerable to moisture and rot. Always remember that while white oak is water-resistant, it’s important to wipe up any spills or puddles. This will ensure your hardwoods will continue to be beautiful and durable for years to come.
- Raw Materials: The coloration tends to be darker with more neutral, yellow/olive/beige hues. Even without any stain coloration, white oak’s natural colors help to reflect light throughout the room. The subtle, straight grain with its longer rays give a calm and uniform feel from wide to narrow board widths.
- Customizable Finishes and Stains: White oak hardwoods are perfect for customization due to its ability to accept a wider color range of stains. Furthermore, white oak is one of the best options for hardwoods as it can be styled with a diverse range of finishing styles. These abilities are what makes white oak so popular for modern-style interiors.
- Functional: This hardwood is often used in living rooms, family rooms, stairways, and hallways as its durability is suited for high-traffic areas. From furniture, cabinetry, and interior trim to even being used to make barrels and ships, white oak is a great choice to fit your needs.
Red Oak Characteristics:
- Industry Standard for Durability: Red oak has a slightly lower Janka rating of 1290 compared to white oak but is considered to be the go-to for hardwoods.
- Porous Nature: Comparing white oak vs red oak, the same characteristic that makes red oak more water-sensitive also makes the staining process easier. The porous nature of red oak allows for ease of staining without splotches, which appeals to many homeowners. Be sure to keep in mind that the natural coloration of red oak supports a smaller range of stain colors. In addition, with improper installation, red oak’s open grain can be susceptible to splintering as well.
- Raw Materials: The coloration of red oak typically has salmon and pinkish hues. The reddish-pink undertones give red oak more of a traditional visual aesthetic. The shorter grain is much more dynamic within red oak vs white oak with it’s straight, long grain. Red oak also has many short, little rays around 1/8″ to 1/2″ long that flow along the grain.Furthermore, any dents or scratches on the hardwood are harder to notice with this type of grain.
Heritage Oak’s Hardwood Collection
Regardless of which type you like more, both white and red oak hardwoods are fully capable of fulfilling your needs. Both are an excellent choice for beautiful and natural hardwood surfaces. At Heritage Oak, we offer a wide selection of the finest oak hardwoods in the Ozarks, perfect for any interior design project! Need expert advice about your hardwood project? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Heritage Oak! We can help guide you through and explain which hardwood would work best for you.