Benefits of Solid White Oak Flooring

There’s nothing like the look of solid hardwood floors. No matter what style, color or species of wood you choose, it’s sure to have a positive impact on your interior design.

There are many types of wood flooring options to choose from. For a lot of homeowners, one of the best and most versatile choices for their homes is white oak. White oak wood floors have a grey/brown undertone to them that sets them apart from the pink and red undertones of red oak while having more character and interest than clear wood species. Whether you’re going for a rustic look or a modern look, white oak hardwood flooring is a great complement to your interior space. 

White Oak Flooring Benefits

The benefits of white oak wood can help you elevate the modern look of your design even more. Check out these 5 benefits of using white oak hardwood flooring in your space to make the most of your interior design.

1. Versatile Color Palette

White oak wood, contrary to its name, is actually a darker wood than maple or red oak. What differentiates it from these other woods is the fact that it has a grey/brown undertone to it with a cooler hue. This makes white oak hardwood floors a lot more versatile and able to fit in with more interior designs than some other wood floors.

White oak pairs well with both warm and cool tones ranging from yellow to blue and also works well with many of today’s popular colors such as grey and taupe. White oak wood takes stain colors very well and compliments many of the more popular finishes, such as grey, whitewash and many darker tones. Because there are no pink or red undertones like red oak flooring or cherry, nothing bleeds through to change the finish of the wood.

2. Personality and Grain

White oak has a cleaner grain to it than red oak flooring, which means it tends to fit in better with contemporary decor. It also has a very linear sap streak to it that can draw the eye along the length of the planks. This can visually lengthen or widen a room, depending on the direction the oak planks are laid. This lends itself well to small spaces where a busy grain may overwhelm the area. White oak also takes rustic finishes well. Brushed and antique white oak is very appealing in a rustic setting.

3. Durable Flooring

Not all types of wood flooring are created equally. Some may be harder or softer than others, which can tell you how they’ll hold up to everyday use. The Janka hardness scale is a measure of durability for wood species. White oak receives a Janka hardness score of 1360, which makes it harder than red oak, white ash, American cherry and American walnut. This means that it will withstand daily use well, without a lot of denting or dinging.

4. Moisture Resistance

White oak is a closed-grain wood, which makes it slightly more water-resistant than some other wood species. While no solid wood floors are truly waterproof, white oak planks hold up well in areas where some moisture can be expected, such as kitchens and half-bathrooms.

5. Affordability

White oak can be found in many parts of the world. It’s not considered an exotic wood, despite its beauty and popularity. Therefore, it can often be more affordable than some wood species, which may be more difficult to obtain or to ship. Contact us to ask about our pricing!

White Oak Flooring Design Ideas

White oak is so versatile, it can be used in a wide range of settings, from residential to commercial. Take a look at some of these design ideas to get inspired and find a way to include white oak in your interior design.

Contemporary Wide Plank

Contemporary Wide Plank

While many white oak floors use a narrow plank, it is available in a wider oak plank variety, like this European white oak floor. Sanded smooth and given a whitewash finish, this white oak floor fits in well with contemporary commercial settings.

Rustic Grain

Rustic Grain

When brushed or antiqued, the grain of the white oak becomes more pronounced, achieving a rustic look to the wood flooring. You can clearly see the grey and brown tones of the rustic white oak wood here, which help emphasize the grain even more and pick up many of the warmer tones in the room.

Natural Color

Natural Color

White oak left in its natural state has a warmth to it that rivals other woods, but with a little more character to the grain. This traditional white oak wide plank floor shows off the beauty of the grain perfectly, while allowing the natural color of the wood to shine.

Reclaimed Character

Reclaimed Character

This reclaimed white oak floor has been sanded smooth and given a clear finish to let its age, patina, and wear marks show. The floor has a lot of subtle variation and character from years of use, while the new sanding and finish helps it fit in well with this transitional kitchen.

Ideal Accent

Ideal Accent

This reclaimed white oak floor is being used as an accent with some bricks. The grain, color and character of the wood are the ideal complement to the worn bricks, while the color of the wood has just enough of a cool undertone to add some contrast and keep the area from getting too bland.

Consider White Oak Flooring for Your Space

There are few wood flooring options that are as versatile, durable and character-filled as white oak. Whether you choose new wood flooring or you want the character of a reclaimed wood floor, white oak can elevate the style of your home or commercial space effortlessly. Consider the beauty of white oak flooring for your interior design to capture these benefits for yourself.