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The Daily Insight

Is white oak flooring expensive

Author

Andrew White

Published Mar 29, 2026

One of the most popular types of hardwood flooring is oak wood. You can choose between red oak flooring and white oak flooring. Red oak flooring will cost about $2 to $6 dollars per square foot, while white oak will cost about $5 to $8 dollars per square foot.

Are white oak floors expensive?

While wider planks of white oak wood (e.g. 4″ and wider) generally cost more than red oak wood, it’s important to note that both species are generally lower priced than most other species of hardwood flooring.

How much does white oak floor cost?

For unfinished white oak flooring, you can expect to pay $1.75-3.50 per square foot. For finished white oak flooring, you can expect $5.00-$12.00 per square foot.

Why is white oak flooring so expensive?

White oak is a universally appealing wood and the most popular choice for flooring. Aesthetics aside, it is resistant to fungi and insects and has high shock resistance and great wear. The inventory is low, the demand is at an all-time high and so are the prices. …

Is white oak flooring good?

Durable Flooring 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.

Which is better red oak or white oak floors?

If you appreciate a strong wood grain pattern, you’re going to love red oak flooring. Red oak has a much stronger graining than white oak, which appears smoother. Overall, the strong graining of red oak also helps hide scratches and dents that may occur, which is perfect for busy households with kids and pets.

Does white oak flooring turn yellow?

If your white oakwood floor is under direct sunlight, it will change color over time. This is most noticeable in the first few months post-installation. The exposure to UV light and oxygen causes the color change in oak making it go dark, or as some people refer to as “yellowing”.

How much does it cost to install 2000 square feet of hardwood floors?

Total square footageWood flooring cost per square foot (installed)2,000$8,000-$20,000

How much does it cost to install 1000 square feet of hardwood floors?

The average cost to install hardwood floors on 1,000 sq. feet is between $6,115 and $10,140 with most homeowners spending about $8,127 for materials and professional labor.

Is White Oak waterproof?

White Oak is a closed-grain wood with many of its pores plugged with Tyloses, making it more resistant to water, decay, and rot. It’s important to remember this doesn’t mean it’s waterproof, so minimizing water and moisture and wiping up spills immediately will keep your floor looking and performing its best.

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Why is white oak more expensive than Red Oak?

Price – In general, there is not a major price difference between red oak and white flooring. Because unfinished hardwood is a commodity item, the price tends to fluctuate weekly. At times, red oak costs more; at other times, white oak costs more. the price will often vary based on width and grade.

What color hardwood floor is best for resale?

Dark stained hardwood flooring is by far the best selection when it comes to overall popularity and resale value.

What is the best grade of hardwood?

What Does a Lumber Grade Mean? Grades are based on the amount of usable clear material in a board. The highest grade boards are FAS and Select, followed by #1 Common and #2 Common.

Which is harder red or white oak?

According to the Janka hardness scale, white oak’s rating is 1360, while red oak has a 1290 hardness rating. The difference is small, and even if white oak is harder, red oak may still be a better option for its visual appeal.

Does White Oak darken?

White Oak. The light brown to darker tones of White Oak undergoes a medium degree of color change with slight ambering over time.

Should you stain white oak floors?

For a light and fresh look, stain your white oak hardwood flooring a lighter color. This also smooths and blends the contrast in the grain for a very clean look. For more traditional, rustic, or just darker floors, a dark stain absorbs beautifully and lets the grain really stand out.

Should you stain white oak?

Staining white oak to change its color isn’t a problem, and all stains should work well. For quartersawn and riftsawn stock, try an aniline dye. It penetrates evenly, but the ray flecks won’t absorb as much, making them really stand out.

What color hardwood floors are most popular?

Gray flooring, particularly gray wood, has grown exponentially over the last decade and has quickly become the most popular trend, not just for flooring, but for homes in general. In addition to looking chic and trendy, gray floors set the tone of a cool, contemporary home.

What is the cheapest type of flooring?

  1. Sheet Vinyl. Getty. Sheet vinyl costs, on average, between $0.50 to $2 per square foot, making it a great affordable option. …
  2. Linoleum. Getty. …
  3. Laminate. Getty. …
  4. Carpet. Getty. …
  5. Polished Concrete. Getty.

How much are oak hardwood floors?

One of the most popular types of hardwood flooring is oak wood. You can choose between red oak flooring and white oak flooring. Red oak flooring will cost about $2 to $6 dollars per square foot, while white oak will cost about $5 to $8 dollars per square foot.

How much does it cost to put hardwood floors in a 1500 square foot house?

Expect to pay between $4,500 and $30,000 for 1,500 square feet of solid wood flooring. The species of wood you choose for your home can be a big determinant of the installation costs.

Are real wood floors worth it?

Hardwood floors can sell a home faster than you can say “sold.” A staggering 99% of Realtors say homes with hardwood floors are easier to sell and can actually add 2.5% to the sales price. … Even though it makes for an easy sell, it’s always worth considering the bottom line for the educated real estate investor.

How much should I pay for hardwood floor installation?

Expect to pay $4 to $8 a square foot for labor to install a solid hardwood floor and $3 to $10 a square foot to install engineered wood, according to HomeAdvisor. Labor costs are higher for floors with vents and irregular shapes.

Do wood floors add value to your home?

Hardwood floors are one of the best flooring options for homeowners looking to increase the resale value of their home, with hardwood typically yielding around a 75% return on investment.

How do I know if my floors are red or white oak?

If you look at the endgrain and see that the pores are open and uncovered, it’s red oak. The pores in white oak are filled with tyloses, which are outgrowths of the tree’s xylem vessels. The pores of red oak lack this outgrowth, which makes them appear to be open.

How do you tell a white oak from a Red Oak?

The white oak tree leaves have rounded leaves whereas the red oak either has a pointed lobe or spiny teeth on the margins. Also white oak trees acorns develop faster than the acorns of the red oaks. White oak bark has a more grayish tinge, and red oak bark is naturally much darker.

What color is white oak flooring?

The color of White Oak is a mix of browns and tans ranging from dark brown to beige, while Red Oak is a lighter wood that ranges from almost white to a soft amber color.

What color floors never go out of style?

White and black create the perfect contrast for whatever you place it on. The two colors mesh together perfectly, while also creating definitive lines between their separation. That’s why black and white have been used for flooring designs for a long time.

What is the most popular flooring in 2021?

  • Embossed-in-register (EIR) finish. …
  • Luxury vinyl planks (LVPs) …
  • Faux wood tile. …
  • Waterproof laminate. …
  • Blonde wood flooring. …
  • Artisan tile work. …
  • Patterned wood.

What color hardwood floor is timeless?

What are timeless hardwood floor colors? Timeless hardwood floor colors are typically the natural hues that are found in the hardwood species that are most often used for flooring. Walnut, for example, is renowned for its dark, chocolate hues while Cherry is prized for its deep red tones.

What are the grades of White Oak?

For oak flooring, there are 3 main grades: select, Number 1 common and Number 2 common. Select grade is generally considered the highest grade as it has the least color variation.