Differences Between White and Red Solid Oak Floors

At The Hardwood Guys, we understand that choosing the right type of wood flooring for your home can be a daunting task. With so many different species of wood available, it can be challenging to decide which one is the best fit for your needs. One of the most common choices for hardwood flooring is oak, and within the oak family, there are two primary types: red oak and white oak. In this article, we'll explore the differences between these two types of oak and help you make an informed decision.

We refinished the job that the previous installer added both red oak. We were lucky enough that the customer choose a natural look and we were able to show a "finished" installation of both Red and White Oak. When they are stained a med-dark stain, these differences can be hidden.

Appearance

One of the most apparent differences between red oak and white oak is their appearance. Red oak has a pinkish or reddish tint, while white oak has a more yellowish or tan hue. Additionally, red oak has a more pronounced grain pattern with longer rays, while white oak has a more subtle and uniform grain pattern. Both types of oak can be stained to achieve a specific color, but the natural hues of each wood will still be visible.

Durability

Both red oak and white oak are durable hardwoods, but white oak is slightly denser and harder than red oak. This means that white oak is less susceptible to dents and scratches, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas or homes with pets. However, both types of oak are suitable for most residential applications and can last for many years with proper maintenance.

Stability

Another crucial factor to consider when choosing wood flooring is its stability. Wood can expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity, which can cause gaps and cracks to develop. White oak is slightly more stable than red oak, thanks to its denser structure. This means that white oak is less likely to warp or bend when exposed to moisture. However, both types of oak can be acclimated to their environment to minimize the effects of temperature and humidity changes.

Price

Finally, it's worth considering the cost of each type of oak. While the price can vary depending on the specific grade and quality of the wood, red oak is generally less expensive than white oak. This is because red oak is more abundant than white oak and easier to work with, making it a popular choice for flooring manufacturers.

In conclusion, both red oak and white oak are excellent choices for hardwood flooring, and the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and your specific needs. If you're looking for a hardwood with a distinct grain pattern and warm hues, red oak may be the best choice. If you need a more durable and stable option, white oak is an excellent choice. Most customers that want a farmhouse look or a natural look will choose white oak to prevent the red hues to show through. We also have Bona Red Out that will allow us to minimize some of these red hues. Regardless of which type of oak you choose, we're confident that it will add beauty and value to your home for many years to come.

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Wear Layer vs Overall Thickness of LVP - Why it's important?

So what precisely gives LVP flooring its strength? It's a combination of wear layer and it's overall thickness. We're going to briefly discuss the wear layer, the star performer of our resilient flooring.

First things first, we need to understand how the measurements work with LVP. Wear layer is measured in Mils and the overall thickness of LVP is measured in MM (Millimeters). See below in bullet form.

Millimeters:

• Metric unit of length

• Used to measure the thickness of vinyl flooring planks

• A thicker plank may be more durable and have better sound insulation properties

• Abbreviated as "mm"

Mils:

• Unit of measurement for the wear layer of vinyl flooring planks

• A thicker wear layer provides better durability and resistance to scratches and scuffs

• Often used in the context of vinyl flooring to measure the thickness of the wear layer, which typically ranges from 6 to 28 mils

• Abbreviated as "mil"

In summary, millimeters are used to measure the thickness of vinyl flooring planks, while mils are used to measure the thickness of the wear layer on the surface of the plank. Both units of measurement are important in determining the durability and longevity of vinyl flooring.

WEAR LAYERS:

Now back to wear layers. The wear layer extends the life of your floor. The wear layer, which is made of transparent PVC film and placed on top of the photographic layer, gives your resilient flooring an additional boost in resilience and lengthens its lifespan.

Wear layers are commonly 6, 12, 20, or 22 mils thick, and their thickness is measured in mils. As you would have imagined, the flooring will be more durable the thicker the wear layer. The 20-22 mil thickness can actually withstand commercial environments. Choose flooring with a middle or higher wear layer if it will be in a high-traffic area of your home. A thinner thickness will be fine if the room in issue is unlikely to have substantial foot traffic. 12 mil works just fine in residential homes.

OVERALL THICKNESS:

The thickness of vinyl flooring ranges from 2 mm to 8 mm and beyond. The most important thing to remember is that the wear layer, not the thickness, determines durability. Having said that, thickness is a crucial consideration.

We discovered that the majority of low to mid-range lines fall within the 5mm to 6.5mm range. Collections of high-end luxury vinyl planks are 8mm thick. The ideal candidates for flooring in this grade are homeowners seeking vinyl with a long lifespan or a limited lifetime warranty and/or a better feeling underfoot when walking on the new floors.

Is Thicker Always Better? There isn’t much difference in the warranties offered from one to another as they are no more scratch resistant nor do they offer any greater dent resistance or protection from water… Initially, it can be difficult to identify why someone might pick a product specifically because of its thickness. Thicker products however, do actually come with benefits. Things like a better, more realistic photo layer, thicker wear layers, and better attached cushioning. Thicker products tend to occupy space at the top of the manufacturer’s offering, but thickness itself is a difficult metric to accurately appraise. The thicker, beefier body of the plank also means the locking system itself is thicker and more durable and easier to install. Finally, a thicker core provides a more comfortable feel when walking. Again, though, these characteristics are a little more difficult to define, and you may or may not feel they are worth paying more for. Overall plank thickness is typically not a big selling point for us.

CORE DIFFERENCES:

In the current market, two major types of plank composition prevail, namely WPC and SPC.

Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) planks comprise a wood component, in contrast to the compressed cardboard core of laminate products, yet they are fully waterproof. Being somewhat thicker and softer than SPC planks, WPC planks tend to provide more comfort underfoot and reduce noise to some extent. However, it is essential to note that the perception of sound varies among individuals. Some prefer a deeper sound similar to solid hardwood flooring, while others prefer a shallow tap similar to a concrete surface. Therefore, it is advisable to walk on the floor and experience the sound for yourself before making a decision. Salespeople claiming that one floor is "quieter" than another should be approached with caution since their definition of "quiet" may differ from yours. Nonetheless, any waterproof floor would be relatively quiet and prevent loud, clapping sounds that are common in laminate flooring.

On the other hand, Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) planks are denser and consist of stone fillers like limestone, making them more resistant to dents but harder feeling underfoot. While SPC planks are not necessarily louder, they do have a different sound when walked on and provide a less soft feel. SPC products have paved the way for thinner and more cost-effective products while retaining their solid core.

To summarize the two categories:

WPC:

• Stands for Wood Plastic Composite

• Often considered more comfortable underfoot than SPC

• Provides a range of sound options, but generally considered to be quieter

• Completely waterproof

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SPC:

• Stands for Stone Plastic Composite

• Feels harder underfoot than WPC

• Some people claim it produces more noise than WPC

• More dent-resistant than WPC

• Comprises a denser core made from stone fillers like limestone

It can be challenging to advocate for one category over the other due to the mix of features each product type offers.

NEW TECHNOLOGY:

The top product of the year lacks a specific name but is a blend of LVT and laminate features. Its surface is made of vinyl, the core is inflexible, and it can be installed using a click system. This hybrid type combines the best qualities of both vinyl plank flooring brands, making it both waterproof and rigid. There is no single term used for this product category; instead, there are several names for different types of inflexible vinyl such as WPC, rigid core LVT, stone core LVT, SVT, SPC, and others.

As with any new technology, variations and developments are inevitable. Initially, WPC referred to wood plastic composite, which contained a core made of wood dust, PVC, calcium carbonate (limestone), fillers, and foaming agents. However, the wood dust component was eventually eliminated from the formula due to its negative effect on dimensional stability. Therefore, the WPC acronym now represents a waterproof core.

Here's an example of this new technology: