{"id":32405,"date":"2021-10-18T16:00:33","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T20:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wideplankflooring.com\/?p=32405"},"modified":"2023-01-16T12:18:58","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T17:18:58","slug":"ash-wood-vs-oak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wideplankflooring.com\/blog\/ash-wood-vs-oak\/","title":{"rendered":"Comparing Ash vs. Oak Wood Floors"},"content":{"rendered":"
Ash and Oak are two of the most popular species for hardwood floors. Both Ash and Oak are beautiful and durable woods that produce planks of exceptional width and length.<\/p>\n
So, when considering Ash wood vs. Oak wood floors, which species is right for your home? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both species to see which wood is best suited for your interior design.<\/p>\n
Planks made of Ash reveal the unique, meandering grain of this hardwood as well as color variations that range from cream to light blonde to a rich, nutty brown. Its naturally light colors and undertones help to make rooms seem more spacious. Ash is an incredibly durable hardwood \u2013 in Norse mythology, Ash was known as the “mighty tree that supports the heavens.” Ash is prized for its ability to suit the needs of a range of settings \u2013 from traditional homes to refurbished urban lofts to beachside residences.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Floors made of American Oak fall into two categories: Red Oak and White Oak. Red Oak is the most popular species for commodity hardwood flooring, offering an ideal balance of beauty, durability, stability and affordability. Red Oak planks have tight, consistent grain and deep salmon tones in the heartwood.<\/p>\n White Oak flooring has become the most sought-after wide plank hardwood flooring species over the last decade.\u00a0 In a White Oak plank, you’ll see dramatic grain patterns that range from simple and sleek to intricate, vibrant swirls. The nutty brown and cocoa hues of White Oak tend to run a little darker than Red Oak. White Oak can easily complement any design scheme from casual to formal to contemporary.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The density of hardwood has a lot to do with how well a floorboard will resist scratches, dents and wear. The density of various woods is measured with a Janka hardness test, which records the amount of force required to embed a steel ball halfway into a plank of wood. Ash, Red Oak and White Oak are very similar in density.<\/p>\n White Oak is the hardest, with a Janke rating of 1360<\/a><\/span>. Ash rates at 1320 and Red Oak at 1290. Any of these woods can handle a fair amount of foot traffic and offer a good amount of resistance to scratches and dents.<\/p>\n Ash is incredibly elastic wood. It expands and contracts easily as conditions change, making it ideal for installation in larger, open spaces. Ash can easily absorb shocks, which is why it’s often used to make baseball bats. This quality also makes it great for high-traffic areas. Oak floors are not quite as elastic but still offer incredible durability.<\/p>\n White Oak is especially resistant to moisture, making it an excellent option for bathrooms and kitchens.<\/p>\n Red Oak is extremely durable as well. It’s also very easy to work with, which is why it’s the most common choice for hardwood floors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both Red Oak and White Oak can be stained to a wide range of colors. Unfinished Oak floors<\/a> <\/span>have a porous quality that accepts stains very easily. Ash is even easier to stain, thanks to a lack of tannins in the wood. However, it’s less common to see stained Ash floors, as many homeowners prefer the neutral, lighter white and brown tones of natural Ash hardwood flooring<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n Both Ash and Oak floorboards can be fashioned from solid wood or engineered wood. Engineered floors are made with boards with multiple layers of material that are glued together and topped with a veneer of hardwood. The result is a floorboard with a core that’s more resistant to changes in moisture and humidity.<\/p>\n<\/a>
Oak wood<\/h2>\n
Comparing the Density of Ash wood vs. Oak wood<\/h2>\n
Comparing Durability<\/h2>\n
Staining Ash wood vs. Oak wood<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
Choosing engineered Ash or Oak floors<\/h2>\n