Hardwood Rivalry: Navigating Through Oak and Hickory Hardwood Flooring

Entering the realm of wood flooring options can sometimes lead to a tough decision, particularly when choosing between hickory and oak. This common struggle between these two wood types is often discussed among flooring experts. Essentially, the dilemma is about choosing between the popular and excellent choice versus a less common but equally impressive one.

While oak, or its imitation, is a common sight in American homes, hickory flooring tends to be somewhat scarcer, although not as much as ebony flooring. Both hickory and oak are excellent choices for hardwood floors, but the final selection often boils down to personal preference rather than a straightforward comparison.

Fortunately, this article won't just provide a few facts and leave you to make an informed decision on your own. We're here to explore the pros and cons of both hickory and oak flooring to equip you with comprehensive knowledge about both. At the end of this guide, you'll be well-informed about the world of hickory and oak flooring.

Hickory vs. Oak Wood: Spotting the Differences

Hickory and oak trees are found globally. For oak flooring, you have two main species to choose from: red oak and white oak. Red oak showcases reddish-brown shades, while white oak displays lighter tan or gray hues. Both types also offer unique features regarding their grain patterns and durability, which we'll discuss further.

Oak Trees: Common Lumber Source

Especially if you live in the America or Europe, you've probably seen an oak tree. They're abundant in the Northern Hemisphere, and it is very sustainable.

Hickory Trees: North American Natives

Hickory trees, though not as common as oak trees, are also predominantly found in North America, with 12 of the 18 species native to the continent. Hickory flooring is eco-friendly, so sustainability concerns are unnecessary.

Hickory vs. Oak Flooring: Identifying the Differences

When it comes to comparing hickory and oak flooring, the focus is more on their appearance after processing than their pre-cut state. You're probably more interested in how they'll enhance your home's aesthetics.

White and Red Oak: Similar Grain Patterns but Varying Colors

White and red oak are distinguished mainly by their coloration rather than grain patterns. Red oak offers warmer shades, while white oak leans toward paler tones, sometimes with a golden hint. But these days, white oak can be stained to all kinds of colors.

Hickory's Unique Grain and Beautiful Color

Hickory flooring, with its diverse grain patterns, might be an appealing option if you prefer a less uniform look. Unlike oak planks, which often look similar, hickory planks display significant variety, meaning that your hickory floor is unlikely to have two identical planks. Some people love this variety, while others find it too "busy."

In terms of color, hickory generally offers a range from creamy to golden brown. It usually presents lighter shades, but it stains well if you prefer darker hues. The varied appearance of hickory flooring contributes to its unique charm, with each piece seemingly telling its own tale.

Comparing Costs: Oak vs. Hickory

Costs get a bit complicated here. Hickory tends to have a higher price ceiling, while oak boasts a lower minimum price. However, you can find high-quality oak and hickory at comparable prices.

On average, oak has a broader price range, and one downside of hickory flooring is that excellent deals on high-quality hickory are harder to come by. For engineered wood, the installation cost for both hickory or oak is relatively similar, depending on the specific product chosen.

Hickory is generally more expensive than oak, primarily due to supply. Hickory is less common than either red or white oak, contributing to the cost difference. However, if you're considering hickory versus oak flooring, the price difference is not substantial enough to sway your choice in most cases.

Comparing Durability: Hickory vs. Oak

On the durability front, hickory triumphs over oak. According to the Janka scale, which measures wood hardness, hickory ranks higher, making it a fantastic choice for homes with pets or children. Oak flooring is also strong, but hickory can withstand more wear and tear.

To give you an idea, hickory has a Janka rating of the 1800s, which is impressive. In comparison, white oak ranks in the 1300s, with red oak even lower in the 1200s. Therefore, when it comes to durability, hickory has a clear edge.

Ease of Installation: Hickory vs. Oak

Another distinguishing factor between hickory and oak is their ease of installation. Because hickory is harder than oak, it's also more difficult to handle. However, professional flooring installers can manage it efficiently.

Hickory is more resistant to standard steel saw blades, requiring carbon-tipped blades for cutting. This doesn't significantly impact the installation cost but might add some time to the project. On the other hand, oak can be easily cut with high-speed steel blades, making it one of the easiest hardwoods to install.

Remember, these installation aspects mainly apply to solid wood. If you opt for engineered wood, you won't face these challenges.

Resale Value: Hickory vs. Oak

When considering a new floor, many homeowners factor in how it will impact their home's resale value. Hardwood floors generally enhance a home's resale value. However, between hickory and oak, hickory may command a higher value due to its rarity. On the other hand, oak floors, being the industry standard, are widely loved and appreciated, making them a safe choice to boost your home's resale value.

The Potential Shortcomings of Hickory Flooring

In our view, hickory flooring doesn't have any genuine drawbacks, especially when weighed against oak flooring. The potential issues associated with hickory flooring that we'll discuss primarily hinge on the buyer's taste.

So the possible downsides of hickory flooring are as follows:

The Unique Grain of Hickory Flooring Might Not Appeal to All

We find the unpredictable grain of hickory enchanting, but if you prefer a more uniform appearance, it may not be your top pick.

Hickory Wood Can Be More Challenging to Work With, As We Pointed Out

As previously stated, hickory wood is somewhat more difficult to cut than oak. While this trait enhances its durability, it also makes trimming hickory planks to the right size a bit tougher.

It Tends to Cost More

The sole "concrete" downside of hickory flooring is its slightly higher price point compared to oak. However, premium oak flooring can be just as costly as hickory, making the two quite similar in price. Therefore, it's all relative.

The Benefits of Hickory Flooring

While Some May See Hickory’s Grain as Chaotic, Others Find It Beautiful

Every plank of hickory flooring is distinctive in its grain pattern and hue. If you appreciate hickory’s grain but not the color variation, it’s quite easy to source hickory flooring with a more uniform appearance, albeit possibly at a higher cost.

In a Hickory vs. Oak Comparison, Hickory Emerges as the More Robust Option

Hickory flooring's hardness makes it resilient against dents, scratches, and other damages. With basic maintenance, high-quality hickory floors can last for many decades, or even centuries.

The Potential Shortcomings of Oak Flooring

Oak is renowned for its lack of significant drawbacks, which contributes to its popularity. The wood is strong and aesthetically pleasing. Although it’s not technically water-resistant, it does manage water better than some other types of wood flooring. Plus, it’s stain-friendly.

However, when comparing oak and hickory flooring, oak has a few minor shortcomings:

Oak Isn't as Hardy as Hickory Flooring

Both red and white oak have respectable Janka ratings (indeed, oak is the industry benchmark for hardness). However, they are considerably softer compared to hickory, which could be problematic for households with pets, kids, or high-traffic areas.

This Means Oak Floors May Need Refinishing More Frequently Than Hickory Floors

Given that red and white oak aren’t as hard as hickory, oak flooring may necessitate more regular refinishing. Numerous factors come into play here—the particular product, the finish, the amount of foot traffic, and so forth.

Whether you choose solid or engineered wood also matters. Remember: top-quality engineered wood flooring features a thick veneer, allowing multiple refinishing. Lower-tier products may only tolerate one or two refinishing processes, if any. This is a general drawback of engineered wood, regardless of the species chosen. It could be seen as a downside of hickory flooring, oak flooring, or virtually any engineered wood flooring.

Do keep in mind: refinishing isn’t always required. If you opt for factory-finished wood with an aluminum oxide coating, a simple resurfacing should restore your floor to its original glory—making a thicker veneer not always necessary.

The Advantages of Oak Flooring

Oak is Simpler to Cut and Handle

One benefit oak holds over hickory is that it’s simpler to cut and handle. There's no need for carbon-tipped steel blades to cut oak, unlike hickory.

In other words, when considering installation difficulties between hickory and oak, oak is the simpler one to install.

Oak Tends to Be Less Expensive Than Hickory

As mentioned earlier, one potential drawback of hickory flooring is it’s typically higher cost compared to oak.

Oak Boasts a More Consistent Grain Pattern

We're repeating ourselves, but it's worth highlighting that oak's more consistent grain pattern makes it more appealing to a broader audience. This is an important consideration if you're weighing up the pros and cons of hickory versus oak in terms of resale value.

All Things Considered, Between Hickory and Oak Flooring, Which Is the Superior Option?

Ultimately, the decision rests on personal taste. Hickory offers a touch more uniqueness and durability. Oak, on the other hand, is typically less costly and might be a safer bet in terms of resale value. Regardless of the type of flooring you're considering, both are excellent choices!

Last Words

We know how a flooring project is a mammoth undertaking for you… and can be very expensive. But if you’re not in a rush, I encourage you to shop around. Then check us out. We're a Factory Direct Store, so our prices are cheaper than any other places. We import the woods ourselves, passing along the savings to you. And we have pro installers with 15+ years of experience, at your service. Should you have any further questions, please email hello@redeemedflooring.com.