Hardwood Flooring

Red oak has excellent durability, with a Janka rating of 1290. Anything over 950 is considered good for flooring, but if a wood is too hard it can be more difficult and expensive to install and resand, and can be prone to cracking. Red oak is well within the Goldilocks zone and will resist most of the scratches that daily life has to offer.

Red oak is also highly stable over time. It’s less susceptible to the effects of humidity, so it won’t expand and contract as much as some other species.

If needed, red oak hardwood flooring can be resanded and refinished.

Oak floors have a classic look, and are one of the most popular choices for hardwood flooring.

Red oak has a beautiful grain structure that’s ideal for camouflaging any scratches from accidental damage, so it will age beautifully.

Thanks to its more porous surface, red oak takes stains extremely well and provides wonderfully even colour results across each plank. Like almost all hardwood floors, if left unstained, oak will deepen to a richer amber colour over time. Red oak’s pinkish tone will minimize this effect.

If you’re trying to decide between red oak and white oak, red oak has a slightly more pinkish tone and a slightly finer grain structure.

Maintenance for red oak flooring will depend on the finish, so be sure to consult the manufacturer’s instructions. Overall, however, it is very easy to maintain red oak hardwood.

No special cleaners are required for this type of flooring: just sweep or vacuum for everyday cleaning.

Periodically, you can use a damp mop and a small amount of dish detergent for a deeper clean. Remember that water is the enemy of wood, so be sure to dry your floors with a soft cloth right after you mop, and never leave any pools of standing water.