"I highly recommend Monteros Hardwood Flooring. They refinished the hardwood floors at our Redlands home and they look new and we are extremely happy with the results. Javier communicated regularly throughout the project. His team is professional, efficient and very prompt and the work was finished in a timely manner. We are very pleased with the results and we highly recommend them."
Oak Hardwood Flooring
Domestic red and white oak - the most-installed hardwood species for good reason. Tough, refinishable, classic.
Oak is the workhorse of American hardwood flooring - about 65% of what we install. Two species dominate: red oak and white oak.
Red oak
- Reddish-pink undertone. Warmer cast, especially with natural finish.
- Open grain pattern. Visible grain, takes stain unevenly compared to white oak.
- Slightly softer than white oak (Janka 1290 vs 1360).
- More affordable - typically the budget-friendly oak option.
White oak
- Cooler, browner undertone. Modern preference. Takes grey, white-washed, and natural finishes beautifully.
- Tighter grain pattern. Cleaner look, takes stain more evenly.
- Slightly harder than red oak.
- Premium pricing - typically 10 – 20% more than red oak.
Which we recommend in 2026
70% of our hardwood installs today are white oak. The cooler tone matches contemporary interiors, the grain pattern photographs better, and clients often prefer it once they see both species side-by-side.
That said, red oak is still excellent and the right choice in homes where it matches existing trim, doors, or cabinetry - common in 1970s and 1980s Inland Empire homes.
Cost
- Red oak: $8 – $12 per sq ft installed
- White oak: $10 – $15 per sq ft installed
- Wide-plank white oak: $13 – $18+ per sq ft installed
Get a free estimate with both red and white oak samples on-site.
Solid and engineered hardwood floors installed by craftsmen with 20+ years on Inland Empire homes.
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