By far the two most sought after species of hardwood flooring are Red & White Oak. This brings up a question – what are the differences between the two?
One of the most noticeable differences between RO and WO flooring lies in their color variations. WO flooring displays hues of medium brown and tan, while RO boasts tints and subtleties of red and pink. Both types of oak flooring accept stains well, but their staining capabilities differ. RO tends to turn a more distinct reddish shade when stained. WO, on the other hand, generally darkens to a brown hue. Despite their initial difference in color, when stain is applied to them that difference is diminished.
The other factor that can visibly distinguish one flooring from another is the grain pattern of the wood. While both are obviously oak, there is a definite difference between the look of WO and RO based on the graining. WO has a tighter, more consistent grain pattern while RO has a more wavy and varied grain pattern.
The Janka scale is a measure of the hardness of wood and is utilized to compare the hardness of different species of wood. WO has a hardness rating of 1360, while RO has a rating of 1290, making WO generally considered harder than RO. This difference in hardness translates to a higher resistance to wear and tear for WO flooring, contributing to its durability. Mainly, this hardness difference helps combat against dents and dings in your hardwood flooring.
Both RO and WO are very durable woods. Some might argue that the inherent hardness and density of WO makes it slightly more stable and durable compared to RO for wood flooring, but both types of hardwood flooring will work well.
When it comes to staining RO vs. WO, both kinds of wood take stain easily. However, stain colors in lighter white and gray are quite popular today and WO is better suited to these hues. However, when it comes to using a medium to dark color, RO vs WO staining will look virtually the same. However, in my opinion, WO is the better fit for the chocolatey/expresso stain so many request for a stain color. That type of stain comes out much richer on WO.
Being that both are quality hardwoods, choosing between RO and WO is a matter of preference and budget. Both offer the beauty that only nature can provide. That said, WO offers more advantages with slightly better strength and durability. Even with WO being a little pricier, homeowners are happy to pay the extra $ in order to mute the pinkish undertones found in RO.