White Oak

Akin to a giant tortoise, white oak is a slow-growing and long-lived species—specimens have been documented at over 400 years old. It even takes its sweet time reproducing. Acorns are not produced in large quantities until the tree reaches at least 50. And those same acorns can spend an equal number of years resting dormant beneath fallen leaves on the forest floor, waiting patiently for sunlight to hit them. Unless a squirrel gets there first.

We’re equally patient at Vermont Plank Flooring where we persistently seek out only the healthiest fully mature white oaks. The result is boards up to fifteen inches in width, and up to fourteen feet long. You’d be hard-pressed to find similar dimensions elsewhere. Wide planks provide a spaciousness that will transform a room. And because white oak is highly stable dimensionally, the seams between those wide boards remain tight.

White oak is one of the more durable domestic hardwoods available. On the Janka scale, which measures the relative hardness of woods, white oak is rated behind only hickory and maple. But durability is more than just hardness. White oak accepts finishes and stains quite well, which further protect it. And its tight, patterned grain hides wear and tear without appearing worn, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.

At Vermont Plank Flooring, we mill our white oak wide plank flooring for a variety of customer preferences. You can choose from three different styles of white oak boards, plain/flat sawn (on which we’ll focus here), and rift sawn and quarter sawn.

White oak’s durability makes it ideally suited for high-traffic areas, including living rooms, family rooms, stairways, and hallways. Its rot resistance also makes it a great candidate for rooms that might attract occasional water or moisture, such as spills in a kitchen, or wet boots in the mud room (also known as foyers outside of Vermont). For bathrooms, basements, and areas with more severe moisture potential, we recommend our moisture-resistant engineered flooring.

Both White Oak and Red Oak are popular choices for their distinct character and performance. While White Oak often steals the show, Red Oak is also one of our most popular flooring options. Both offer stunning aesthetics and lasting durability. Which one is right for you? Let's break down the key differences to help you decide:

Color:

• Red Oak: Has a warmer tone with a subtle pinkish hue, which can be more noticeable with lighter stains.
• White Oak: Leans cooler with a light brown or yellow undertone. Stains tend to take more evenly on white oak.

Grain Pattern:

• Red Oak: Features a bolder, more prominent grain pattern with longer, sweeping rays. Great for hiding minor scratches and dents.
• White Oak: Showcases a smoother, more subtle grain with mineral streaks. Offers a modern, clean aesthetic.

Durability:

• Red Oak: Very strong and hard-wearing, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas.
• White Oak: Exceptionally strong and dimensionally stable. Ideal for areas with potential moisture concerns, like basements (when properly acclimated).

Style:

• Red Oak: The classic choice, offering a warm and traditional look.
• White Oak: Provides a more contemporary feel with its clean lines and minimal grain.

Cost:

• Red Oak: Almost always more affordable than White Oak. The raw material cost is significantly less for Red Oak, which means it tends to be the most cost-effective in a solid plank structure and costs more in an engineered plank structure.
• White Oak: Often priced higher due to its greater demand and superior stability. The raw material cost is higher, especially in Select Grade White Oak, which means an engineered plank structure tends to be the most affordable route.

If your flooring will be laid on concrete, below grade, or in a location where more than occasional moisture is likely, our engineered wide plank flooring is your answer.

Yes, White Oak is indeed an excellent choice for flooring. It's a classic domestic hardwood known for its durability, strength, and beauty. Here are some of the reasons why White Oak is so popular:

• Durability: White Oak is one of the hardest and most durable hardwoods available. It's resistant to scratches, dents, and wear and tear, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas.
• Stability: White Oak is dimensionally stable, meaning it's less likely to warp or cup over time. This is due to its closed-grain structure and natural resistance to moisture.
• Beauty: White Oak has a classic, elegant appearance with a distinctive cathedral grain pattern. It's available in a wide range of colors, from creamy white to golden brown.
• Versatility: White Oak complements a variety of interior styles, from traditional to modern. It can be finished in a variety of ways, including natural, stained, or bleached.
• Value: White Oak is a valuable hardwood that can increase the resale value of your home.

Overall, White Oak is an excellent choice for flooring that offers beauty, durability, and value. If you're looking for a classic, timeless flooring option, white oak is a great choice.

Yes, White Oak hardwood can be considered expensive compared to some other flooring options.

With a handful of exceptions, Select Grade White Oak is oftentimes the most expensive flooring we produce. The cost of the timber we use to mill our White Oak flooring, specifically in Select Grades, is driven up by demand from competing trades, like staves for bourbon barrels.

With that said, its durability, beauty, and long-lasting value often justify the higher cost.

Factors that contribute to the cost of white oak flooring include:

• Grade: Select Grade White Oak is significantly more expensive than Character Grade White Oak.
• Width and length: The wider the plank width, the more expensive the flooring is to produce.
• Finish: Custom finishes or intricate post-processing, like hand-scraped texturing, can add to the price.

While White Oak may be an initial investment, its durability and timeless appeal can make it a worthwhile choice in the long run.

While White Oak is a popular and durable flooring choice, it does have some potential disadvantages.

The largest disadvantage is its price relative to other hardwood species. As mentioned earlier, White Oak can be more expensive than other flooring options, especially when opting for wider planks or select grades.

In some circumstances, more affordable alternatives come without any real downside. For example, if your desired floor finish is dark, it’s likely that Red Oak with the same finish would be indistinguishable from White Oak.

Notwithstanding all this, White Oak's beauty, durability, and value often outweigh its disadvantages for many homeowners.

No, White Oak floors do not scratch easily. White Oak floors can scratch, but they are generally less prone to scratches than softer woods. White Oak is one of the most popular selections for homes with dogs.

However, it's important to note that any hardwood floor can be scratched with enough force or abrasive materials.

Here are some factors that can affect the susceptibility of white oak floors to scratches:

• Finish: A high-quality, durable finish can help protect a White Oak floor from scratches. Vermont Plank Flooring uses Loba Duo 2-Component topcoats for its prefinishing across all species, a best-in-class product line for long-term durability and scratch resistance.
• Sheen: A finish with a matte sheen tends to minimize the appearance of scratches as compared to a more glossy finish, which can reflect light and emphasize their appearance.
• Grade: In Character Grade White Oak, with knots, mineral streaks, and more general variability and visual interest in the grain pattern, scratches often blend in with the plank's natural characteristics, whereas they may be more visible in a Select Grade White Oak.

To minimize the risk of scratches, we recommend using floor protectors, such as doormats and furniture pads, and to avoid dragging heavy objects across the floor. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help: keeping the floor clean and free of dirt and debris can help prevent scratches and maintain its appearance.

No, White oak floors do not dent easily. White Oak is a dense hardwood with a Janka Hardness rating eclipsed only by Hard Maple and Hickory.

With that said, the quality of the flooring can significantly impact its durability. Vermont Plank Flooring's White Oak floors are known for their exceptional durability and resistance to dents, thanks to their commitment to quality materials and craftsmanship.