Difference Between French And American Oak Flooring

Yet they are not always familiar with the significant differences that make european oak such a rich product in design and functionality.

Difference between french and american oak flooring.

Today i am going to explain in more detail the difference between american oak and french oak. It has 3 traditional cuts. First we examine standard american white oak. What s the finish like.

European oak flooring on the other hand in terms of colour generally tends to be darker compared to american oak flooring. In the french oak vs. Species and origin french oak quercus robur is a temperate hardwood native to most of europe and is in fact the same species as english oak. American oak quercus alba is also a temperate hardwood predominantly found in eastern north america.

European oak is darker with a naturally rich golden honey hue while american oak is lighter and more yellow in colour with the occasional pinkish hue. To start off both american oak and french oak are species of white oak. On the whole european oak has a more even colour tone from board to board than american oak which can show greater differences between light and dark shades. Normally european oak looks darker better.

What is the difference between american and french oak for maturation. American oak debate another difference is the finish of the flooring. Grain pattern european oak tends to have a. Designers and architects who specify wood flooring veneers cabinetry or millwork on projects are intimately familiar with oak.

Generally speaking american oak is treated with a polyurethane finish. Barrels are made from oak trees grown all over the world but the most popular barrels are made from oak trees grown. For european oak floor the regular length is like below. In a previous wine words post i gave a general overview of oak as it pertains to wine.

Both species are classed as white oaks and have been known to live for several hundred years. Generally french oak is thought to impart a subtler influence and smoother texture which is nice most of the time while american oak is bigger on vanilla flavour and astringent tannins. Variation in tone as timber is a natural product the tone varies from board to board this is the beauty of a natural solid oak floor. Unlike american oak which will often have a large colour variation between its boards european oak will have a much more even colour tone.

Red oak is never used for winemaking because it is too porous. Over time this will need to be touched up and refinished. Russian oak has less tannic acid inside european oak has more this will only influence if your floor needs fumigation after fumigation the appearance will be different. European oak has a more even colour tone from board to board than american oak which can show greater contrasts between lighter and darker shades especially in the grain pattern.