Seeking Advice on Choosing Between White Oak and Red Oak Flooring

MarkEllison

Hello Apartment Therapy community!

I'm in the process of selecting hardwood flooring for my living room and am torn between white oak and red oak. I appreciate the durability of both, but I'm uncertain about the aesthetic differences and how they might complement my existing decor.

Has anyone made a similar choice? I'd love to hear your experiences and any insights you might have on factors like color variation, grain patterns, and maintenance.

Thank you in advance for your guidance!

DanielaAraya

Hi Mark! Can you share any photos or links of what your existing furniture and decor look like? What style/architecture is your home? I think which color you choose will depend on those things, but I personally tend to lean more towards white oak because it feels fresher and is easier to match in my space which has a ton of color/pattern going on. It's also important to consider the type of environment your home sits in. Is it humid outside or dry? If you live somewhere that has higher moisture, it might be worth skipping on real hardwood and trying engineered hardwood for something more water resistant. They even sell floor tile that looks like wood now, but I wouldn't opt for that unless you need to, because the real thing (engineered too) looks so good!