If you are thinking about redoing your hardwood flooring, you may be weighing the differences between walnut wood floors and oak wood floors. This is a common conversation people have because even though there are many options for flooring, these two are still the most popular.
Oak and walnut flooring are widely available in different styles, including easy-to-DIY flooring. Oak and walnut are durable floors that work great for different types of families, different interior designs, and even different budgets. So how can you determine which one is going to meet your needs? It may surprise you that it actually pays to look at the differences between these floors instead of the similarities before you choose the floor you love the most!
What Is Oak?
Oak is a tree that is native to the Northern Hemisphere. There are over 500 species of oak trees, with each looking just slightly different. Most commonly, white oak, black oak, willow oak, and red oak are used to make flooring and furniture because they are among the most plentiful trees, and they are strong and hardy. The most popular choices for flooring are red oak, which can have a light, pinkish-red tinge to it, and white oak, which has a tiger-stripe grain.
Oak flooring is heavy as well. It is easy to take care of and can stand up to many different types of cleaners.
Many people choose oak flooring because it is resistant to warping, making it a great choice for people who live in an area with a lot of moisture. If you are DIYing this project, use a clear finish as it highlights the grain. You want to be careful about using stains because it can exaggerate the grain, and it can be extremely exaggerated.
What is Walnut?
Next up, the famous walnut: Walnut trees make many different things, including wood flooring, furniture, veneers, cabinets, and more. There are a lot of walnut species, but black walnut, English walnut, and a few other varieties are the most commonly used. The colors in a pack of walnut flooring can vary quite a bit, which is why it is important to lay everything out before doing anything permanent. Remember that most walnut flooring will be clear-coated or regularly oiled to help bring out the natural beauty.
Walnut tends to be a bit darker and shinier than other types of wood flooring. This is why it is also used in decorative moldings, mantels, dining tables, and beds. It can take intricate carvings and remain strong and beautiful.
Walnut vs. Oak: Appearances
It is hard to compare what oak flooring and walnut flooring looks like because there are so many different species to compare. Usually, the flooring will be similar in color, but there is some variation to them.
Oak tends to be a lighter or medium brown color with yellow undertones. It has a coarse, uneven texture with a straight grain pattern.
Walnut flooring runs the gamut in terms of colors. It can be a light pale brown or look almost black or chocolate brown, depending on the species. While it can have an irregular texture and grain, it is usually straight when used in flooring.
Some things to think about: You want to think about the type of decor you have in your home, especially your furniture. You don’t want the different types of wood to clash with each other, particularly the undertones of that wood.
Walnut vs Oak: Strength
How strong do you need your flooring to be? It really depends on what you are going to do in your home. Will you have extremely heavy furniture? Are you going to be using a wheelchair or medical equipment on the flooring?
Most people will be fine with either walnut or oak unless they have particular weight needs. Oak is slightly weaker than walnut. Someone who has a family of younger children or pets may opt for walnut just because it won’t show as much wear and tear.
Some things to think about: Each different species of oak and walnut will have a different hardiness rating, so you will want to look into the rating for your individual wood. If you have composite flooring or something that is engineered, you need to look at the hardiness of the wood and the hardiness of your tiles or planks.
Walnut vs. Oak: Price
The price of oak and walnut flooring fluctuates with availability, but both are considered excellent values for how much they cost. Part of this is because of just how available they are. Of course, different varieties will cost more than others. There are rarer walnut and oak flooring options, and they are going to cost a lot more than others.
Walnut is still a good value for the money, but it is slightly more expensive than oak flooring.
With both of these varieties, you are going to get what you pay for when it comes to wood flooring. Every choice you make will impact whether or not the price goes up, including the species of wood, installation type, grain, finishing, sizing, and more.
To purchase floors at a price as attractive as the wood grain, look at Hardwood Bargains for manufacturer direct pricing and samples shipped at no cost.
Some things to think about: Walnut flooring is a bit more expensive, but it tends to feel a lot more expensive than oak flooring. If you are looking for that luxurious feeling, you may want to look at your options in walnut instead of oak. Remember that walnut is somewhat softer than oak, so you may have to make repairs, which can add up in the long run.
Walnut vs Oak: Care
Very few people want to spend their days cleaning their floors and worrying about whether or not the products they choose will strip away the flooring or cause damage to it. Instead, they want floors that they can easily care for with simple products and cleansers. Both walnut and oak flooring are extremely easy to care for and clean.
Keep in mind that darker flooring will show dust and debris much more quickly than other types of flooring, whereas lighter floors will stain and show dirt quickly.
Some things to think about: You will have to be a bit more careful with oak flooring because it is slightly softer. It is always best to keep a bit of the flooring, especially if you are laying the flooring yourself. You can test your products on a freestanding piece of wood.
Walnut vs Oak: Final Call
So, will oak or walnut be your final flooring choice? That is really going to depend on the look and feel you are going for with your flooring. Walnut and oak are similar in usage, care, price, and strength. However, they aren’t the same when you look at them. The type of flooring that works best for you will depend on the style you are going for in your home or space.
The most important thing to think about is your use of the flooring. If you are looking for something that is going to go into a kitchen, playroom, or hallway that is going to get a lot of traffic and potentially abuse, then you want to choose oak flooring. And if you are looking for something that is high-end and won’t get a lot of abuse, like a bedroom or a dining room, then walnut is a fantastic option. Either way, you’re sure to love the new floor you choose!
Sources:
Types of Hardwood Flooring | Bob Vila
Steps for Maintaining Your Walnut Engineered Flooring | Do It Yourself
How to Clean Hardwood Floors and Keep Them Looking Fresh | Better Homes & Gardens
