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White Oak vs. Red Oak vs. Walnut Flooring: Look, Hardness and Cost
White oak, red oak and walnut are the three species buyers ask us about most. Here is how they compare on look, hardness, staining and cost.
Quick answers
Which is harder, white oak, red oak or walnut?
On the Janka hardness scale, white oak is about 1360, red oak about 1290 and black walnut about 1010. White and red oak are close; walnut is noticeably softer and shows dents more easily.
Is white oak or red oak better for flooring?
Both are excellent. White oak has a cooler, more neutral tone, tighter grain and better water resistance, and it takes modern grey, natural and fumed looks well. Red oak has warmer pink tones and a more open grain.
Is walnut flooring worth it?
Walnut gives a rich chocolate color no stain can fully copy, but it is softer than oak and lightens with sunlight over time. It is a great choice for bedrooms, formal rooms and pattern floors.
Which wood species takes stain best?
Red oak's open grain takes stain readily and evenly. White oak takes stain well and also reacts with color treatments and fuming. Walnut is usually finished natural to show off its color.
The short answer
Choose white oak for a versatile, durable, neutral floor that works with almost any design. Choose red oak for warm tones and easy staining. Choose walnut when you want deep natural color and you are comfortable with a softer surface.
White oak
White oak is the species we are asked about most. It has a tan to light brown color with a slightly cool cast, so it suits natural, grey and white finishes. Its cells are filled with tyloses, which makes it more resistant to water than red oak. White oak is also rich in tannins, so it responds well to fuming and reactive color treatments. Cut matters as much as species: rift and quartered white oak shows a straight, calm grain, while plainsawn shows the classic cathedral pattern.
Red oak
Red oak has warmer pink and reddish tones and a bold, open grain. That open grain soaks up stain, so it is a forgiving species for traditional brown finishes. It is close to white oak in hardness and is a long-standing choice in East Coast homes. If you want a cool grey or a very light Scandinavian look, white oak is usually easier to get right.
Walnut
American black walnut has a natural chocolate brown color with lighter sapwood streaks, depending on grade. It is softer than both oaks, so it shows dents from heels and furniture more readily. Walnut also lightens and warms with sun exposure, while oak tends to darken slightly. In herringbone and chevron, walnut looks especially rich; see our American walnut double herringbone.
Side by side
White oak | Red oak | Walnut | |
Janka hardness (approx.) | 1360 | 1290 | 1010 |
Color | Tan, cool cast | Warm, pinkish | Chocolate brown |
Grain | Tighter | Open, bold | Fine, flowing |
Water resistance | Better | Lower | Moderate |
Staining | Very good; fumes well | Takes stain easily | Usually left natural |
Light exposure | Darkens slightly | Darkens slightly | Lightens |
What about cost?
Price depends on species, grade, cut, width, length and construction as much as on species alone. Rift and quartered cuts cost more than plainsawn, and wide, long boards cost more than narrow, short ones. Current prices for our flooring are listed on each product page, for example our rift and quartered white oak and white oak chevron. For a full project estimate, call us; installed cost depends on the job.
Finishing matters too
The same species can look completely different depending on the finish. Read how to choose the right stain and which finishes are the most durable, and see light vs. dark wood for help with color.
Choosing a pattern? Compare herringbone vs. chevron. Choosing a width? See the wide plank buying guide.
Talk to a wood flooring specialist
Not sure which option fits your project? Call 908-232-6600 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern), visit our showroom at 406B West Broad Street in Westfield, New Jersey, or book a virtual consultation. We work with homeowners, architects and designers across New Jersey, New York City and the East Coast, and serve clients nationwide.
Keep reading
About the author
Joe Avila has 26 years in the wood flooring trade. He is an NWFA-certified wood flooring inspector, installer and sander, and for more than a decade he has taught accredited continuing-education programs for AIA, ASID and IDCEC audiences, training thousands of architects and design professionals in how to specify wood flooring correctly.
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