Is there a reason to choose red oak over white oak, or white oak over red oak?
The answer is yes! There are two main reasons one would choose red or white in preference to the other. The first reason is visual appeal. Some people prefer the pinkish cast of red oak, while others feel the golden hue of white oak is the best background color. Opinions vary because of personal taste, the rooms color scheme, and the species of other prominent woodwork in the room. Unfortunately, the white or red issue is often solved by a contractor long before the home owner (who might have a preference) gets involved with the home. The second reason which should affect the white/red decision is the amount of traffic the floor will receive. Red oak works well in many residential areas. However, white oak wins hands down when it comes to the dreaded “heel pecks”. Therefore, for high traffic areas like foyers and rooms for entertaining, taking a good look at white oak might save a few headaches.
