Oak wood is an exceptional and timeless material that is used as decking boards, beams and as a perfect flooring option.
Oak flooring is widely used in many European households. Available
in two kinds: the red oak and the white oak, both have an exceptional beauty. However,
there are still differences between the two.
Strength and Durability
Determining the strength and durability of an oak flooring material depends
on two main factors – the Janka hardness and the density.
Janka Hardness
The Janka hardness
rating measures how resistant a piece of hardwood can be. The measurement is in
pounds, where the higher rating is equivalent to a harder wood.
Density
Density measures how
much wood is packed into a cubic meter.
The combination of the two factors will determine the capacity of
the wood to endure wear and tear.
Red oak has a Janka hardness rating of 12,900 lbs. and a density of
780 kg/m3. White oak has a hardness rating of 1,360 lbs. and a density of 900
KG/m3. The white oak flooring is stronger than the red.
Appearance
Both have tight, complex grain patterns. The heartwood has a
reddish-brown hue and is surrounded by warm glowing tones, making red oak the
perfect option for a more exotic-looking floor. White oak takes on a pale tone
with a contrasting dark grain, providing a more neutral and versatile look.
Movement in Service
Movement in Service refers to how much a hardwood shrinks or expands
during shipping or after installation. The measurement is based on the
tangential and radial shrinkage – which is expressed as a percentage. The lower
the percentage, the less likely the wood will shrink.
The tangential and radial shrinkage for red oak flooring is 8.6% and
4.0%, respectively. For white oak flooring, the numbers are 7.2% and 4.2%. It
is clear that white oak flooring can resist buckling, bending and warping –
better than the red oak.
