Appalachian or Northern Oak Flooring?

last year

Thanks to all the amazing advice I've gotten here, I've narrowed down my flooring choices to four vendors: Ashawa, Graff, Schafer, and Uptown. All can do site-finished, select and better, plain sawn, engineered white oak in 4" (this is going over a hydronic radiant heated slab).

There are some differences in construction (Schafer is 3 layer and everyone else is multi-ply birch), and wear layer (Uptown is 6mm, everyone else is 4mm) -- but my main question is around the actual wood look:

Ashawa and Schafer seem to use "Northern Oak" and Graf and Uptown seems to be using "Appalachian Oak."

Given I'm going for select and better plain sawn -- will I notice any difference between the two top layers?

Comments (8)

klem1
last year
last modified: last year
If 100 boards from each region were mixed up in a pile I seriously doubt anyone could sot out which is which. Click HERE for details on both.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
last year
Northern Oak is mostly used in the Northeast. I believe it has less heartwood in it.
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PRO
WoodCo
last year
We use Appalachian Oak for our white oak flooring. Appalachian is a prime quality white oak!
klem1
last year
There's conflicting information here. I come to these forums in attempt to educate and help folks understand so they are able to make their own decisions rather than just telling them what they should do. My elementary teachers ( 2 sisters teaching grades 1-6) taught their students far more than the 3 Rs. One of those was to remain students our entire lives and I'm still following their advice.

This conversation might be the quintessential opportunity to do both teach and be taught.

G & S Floor said, " Northern Oak is mostly used in the Northeast. I believe it has less heartwood in it."

I have been lead to believe by US Forest and Hardwood Mfgrs Assoc that Northern Oak has more heartwood and tighter rings due to slower growth in colder climate that if grown in the warmer South. Same tree species grown under different conditions. Due to grading higher,the wood is imported and demands higher price in the South where Oak is plentiful but lower grade. Will you cite sources that support your statement ?

Woodco said " We use Appalachian Oak for our white oak flooring. Appalachian is a prime quality white oak!"

Both sources cited above classify Appalachian Oak in the Red Oak group. Various Red Oaks grown in or near Appalachian region. Will you cite your sources that classify it as White Oak?
PRO
-
last year
With the current oak shortages in the USA, everyone is having to get oak where and when it is available. There is a big difference in color on red oak between the north and the south of the country. Southern Red oak is Salmon in color while northern is more of a wheat color. When you turn to White oak, the color variation is less. Unless you are getting very southern stock from the Gulf States. The companies identified in the original question are all have production facilities in the following states, Ashawa =MN, Graf = KY, Schafer = MI and Uptown (Sheoga) = OH.

They will all be buying oak from a similar area of the country, Far more important would be to look at what the length structure is on the floor, the thickness of the warelayer, and the structural warrenty provided, when comparing the four manufacturers above. Also the Lead time to get the floor could be a serious consideration also.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
last year
NWFA has resources on lumber harvesting.
BW_TX
last year
Anyone know about Maxwell's white oak? They say 60% is sourced from Arkansas - is Arkansas considered Northern, Southern, or Appalachian? I would guess Appalachian. From what I have found googling, Northern = WI, MI, MN, IN, Southern = MS, AL, SC, GA, and Appalachian = KY, OH, TN, WV, NC.
klem1
last year
I think one you pros in all things known to man can help BW's predicament better than I. For all I know somebody could have packed AR up and took it to the Great Lakes with them.

Appalachian or Northern Oak Flooring?

Comments (8)

klem1

G & S Floor Service

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