The Key Differences In Oak vs. Ash Floors

When you’re looking for hardwood floors, Oak and Ash are both excellent options for lighter- to medium-toned hardwood floors. Both hardwoods are highly durable and can be finished in a wide variety of stain colors. And Oak and Ash are equally at home in classic, formal or contemporary design schemes. That said, there are distinct differences between these two popular hardwoods. Let’s take a head-to-head look at Ash hardwood vs. Oak hardwood floors.

The Differences in Color of Oak vs. Ash

Ash tends to offer more natural and neutral hues that range from very light blonde to cream-colored to rich nutty browns. For this reason, Ash is the perfect choice for homeowners seeking light hardwood floors, and Ash is frequently selected for modern, contemporary interior designs. It’s also ideal for small room flooring, as its light hues make spaces feel more expansive. Oak floors are made either with Red Oak or White Oak hardwoods. Red Oak features pinkish, salmon tones in the heartwood, while White Oak offers hues of tan and nutty brown and is generally darker than Red Oak. Oak floors will tend to darken in color over time, while Ash floors will tend to retain their lighter hues.

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Grain appearance in Oak vs. Ash

Ash often appeals to homeowners looking for hardwood with more flair and personality in the grain. Ash floorboards feature meandering grain with patterns that range from fairly straight to beautiful swirls. The grain patterns in White Oak floors run from simple and sleek to intricate, vibrant swirls, though the personality is toned down compared to Ash. Red Oak planks also feature prominent grain but with tighter, more consistent patterns.

How Hard is Ash Hardwood Compared to Oak?

The hardness of a floorboard plays a role in helping to prevent scratches, dents and dings and in keeping the floor from wearing down over time. The hardness of different woods is measured on the Janka hardness scale, which rates the density of wood according to the amount of force needed to embed a steel ball halfway into the plank. When it comes to the density of Oak vs. Ash, there’s not a lot of variation. Red Oak is the softest of the three, with a Janka rating of 1290. Ash is slightly harder with a rating of 1320. And White Oak is the densest with a rating of 1360. With roughly similar hardness ratings, Oak and Ash are excellent options for high-traffic areas within a home.

Engineered Oak and Ash Floors

If you’re considering an engineered floor, both Oak and Ash are excellent choices for the top layer or wear layer. Engineered floorboards are constructed with several layers of material that are glued together to create a strong core that’s more resistant to moisture and humidity than solid hardwood floorboards. Engineered floorboards have a veneer of hardwood that can be sanded and stained just like solid wood. Both Oak and Ash are popular options for engineered floors.

The Differences in Staining Oak vs. Ash

Ash and Oak floors both accept stains very easily and can be finished in a virtually unlimited range of colors. Unfinished Red Oak flooring or White Oak flooring has a porous quality that allows for a very even stain treatment. Ash floors are also quite easy to stain, thanks to a lack of tannins in the wood. But most homeowners who choose Ash floors prefer the lighter and more neutral tones of natural Ash hardwood flooring, so it’s rarer to see an Ash floor stained to a different color.

Which floor is easier to clean: Oak or Ash?

There’s no difference in the effort required to clean Oak vs. Ash floors. Both surfaces can be swept or vacuumed to get rid of dirt and dust, and a light mopping with a mild solution of water and white vinegar can help to clean grime or stubborn dirt. However, because Ash floors are typically lighter, they may hide dust and dirt more easily, meaning you won’t need to spend as much time cleaning them.

Are There Differences in the Cost of Oak vs. Ash?

There’s typically not a lot of difference in cost between Ash and Oak. Oak may be slightly less expensive because it’s so readily available and easily sourced. Ash may be harder to find – and consequently more costly – as an invasive beetle has been decimating old-growth Ash trees in certain parts of the country making it more difficult to source and provide a high-quality Ash hardwood floor.

Choosing the right floor with Carlisle

if you’re not sure whether Oak or Ash is the right hardwood for you, the helpful design consultants at Carlisle Wide Plank Floors will be happy to help you explore your options and understand the differences between these two durable hardwood floors. We can walk you through the benefits of Oak vs. Ash, Hickory vs. Ash or Maple vs. Walnut. Our Wide Plank Specialists are experts at understanding your vision and helping to translate it into the right choice of hardwood, grade, structure, color and texture. When you come to Carlisle, we’ll help you design a floor that will perfectly reflect your sense of style.