Red Oak Wide Plank Flooring

At Vermont Plank Flooring, we work with partner sawmills that source from well-managed Northeast woodlots, and we select lumber only from healthy, fully mature red oaks (FSC-certified material is available on request). By doing so, we are able to mill wide, long planks: up to 12+ inches wide and 14+ feet long. Boards that long and wide mean fewer seams to distract the eye, which results in a wide-open feel that makes small rooms seem larger and large rooms look luxurious.

Red oak is considered the industry standard when discussing hardness, meaning that the hardness of other hardwoods is generally referenced in comparison to red oak. Although there are a few species higher on the hardness scale, including maple and white oak, most other domestic hardwoods used for flooring, including walnut and cherry, are softer. It has medium bending strength and stiffness making it flexible enough to not crack and split under pressure.

In addition to the visual appeal of red oak’s striking grain pattern (read more about this below), it also provides camouflage for scratches and dents. Additionally, red oak effortlessly accepts stains and finishes, which provides a crucial additional layer of protection.

In general, red oak is a durable and tightly grained wood that holds up well in high-traffic areas.

Red oak’s universal appeal is driven by three factors; color, grain, and the resulting versatility those aesthetic characteristics provide. The wood’s natural color tends to range from creamy reddish pinks to gentle shades of brown, with occasional white to light brown sapwood. Red oak is most noted for its strong grain characteristics, which tend to be coarsely patterned with pronounced cathedrals and occasional small knots.

Vermont Plank Flooring offers red oak in select grade, which provides consistent color and grain patterns. We also mill red oak in rift sawn and rift & quarter sawn options, in addition to standard plain sawn. These highlight red oak’s warm reddish hues while dialing back the grain characteristics for a straighter, cleaner look.

Because of red oak’s natural attractiveness, many people opt for a clear or lightly tinted water-based or tung oil finish. But because it takes finishes so well, you also have the option to work with our custom finish shop to create different looks. With red oak’s lovely grain and ease of staining, it is an incredibly versatile flooring option that works with almost any décor. It adds authenticity to older or period homes but provides character and comfort to newer or more contemporary designs.

Red oak is comfortable aesthetically in any room in the house. Its inviting reddish hue and delightful grain patterns will add timeless beauty to the living room, dining room, family room, or bedroom. It is also durable enough to withstand even the busiest of foot traffic, making it ideal for kitchens, hallways, stairways, and entryways.

Unlike its sibling white oak, which has a reputation for moisture and rot resistance, red oak is more porous and does not do well with standing water or enduring moisture. Although protective finishes will offer a level of protection, if your project includes bathrooms, basement rooms, or any application directly on concrete, Vermont Plank Flooring offers a complete line of engineered wide plank flooring, including red oak.

Our engineered wide plank red oak provides the same beauty and character of our solid hardwood red oak planks, but adds structural stability and rot- and moisture-resistance that will ease your mind when the bathroom plumbing springs a leak.

Unfinished solid Red Oak runs $12–$22 per square foot, depending on width and length. Engineered starts at $12. Finish Ready adds $2 per square foot, and prefinishing starts at $6 over the unfinished price. Request a quote for exact pricing.

Yes. Both our solid and engineered Red Oak are rated for radiant heat, and Rift & Quarter Sawn Red Oak is one of the most stable choices over heat. On a concrete slab or below grade, choose engineered, which is glued directly to the slab. Either way, keep indoor humidity at 35–55%. See our guides to radiant heat and concrete slabs.

Red Oak has warmer tones, from reddish pink to brown, and a more open, pronounced grain. White Oak runs cooler, from cream to golden tan, with a tighter grain that takes stains evenly. Red Oak is also less expensive: $12–$22 per square foot unfinished, against $13–$28 for White Oak. Both come plain sawn, rift sawn, or rift & quarter sawn.

Yes. We offer Red Oak plain sawn, rift sawn, and rift & quarter sawn. The vertical grain of rift & quarter sawn boards gives a straighter, more uniform look and the most stability, which matters for wide planks and radiant heat.