I am in search of walnut floors and I have received several samples from these manufacturers - all samples were beautiful - you can check their websites for red oak: Elmwood Reclaimed Floors Olde Wood ltd Heritage Wide Plank Flooring Reclaimed Designworks Carlisle Wide Plank It's a tough decision for us to make! Best, Pam

I can get your wood in oak, but the sawyer doesn't recommend it and really, neither do I. A close cousin, and much more stable, and similar in appearance, is ash. Non-pith cuts, kiln dried, will be a great substitute and are available. You can get air dried or green oak at a good price too, but even I wouldn't use it. Let me know.

We replaced most of the flooring on our main level with site finished 5" red oak earlier this year (upper level and one room remains 2 1/4"), so I don't have any long term experiences yet. However, I did have some of the same concerns that you have. In my attempt to research, I concluded that the homes that tended to have issues were ones where the 5" hardwoods were installed over a crawlspace. I really like the way our floors turned out, but be aware that the board lengths will be shorter than the narrower width planks. We have not yet repainted, so please ignore the battered paint

mark_rachel, that is what I told my husband! And, Oak & Board, I've been studying this off and on for at least a year. You are one of my favorite commentors. I have learned a lot from you. Both of the samples are solid hardwood not engineered. KD is pleased with the quality of the floor and barely there bevel. Haven't seen a white oak floor yet in Michigan. Well aware of matching existing flooring of which we have none. Need a little more visual interest than the white oak. Considered natural hickory and I think it is too much for me. In my area, everyone is used to red oak. Boring Detroit area suburbs. Not a high end home.