Hickory Vs Oak Flooring? Prices, Installation Cost, Best Brands, Pros and Cons

When it comes to hardwood flooring options, hickory and oak represent two of the most popular choices for American homeowners. Both offer exceptional durability and timeless appeal, yet they differ significantly in hardness, grain patterns, color variations, and price points. Hickory is known for its superior hardness and distinctive grain patterns, while oak offers more consistent coloring and has been the traditional standard in American homes for generations. Understanding the key differences between these premium hardwood options can help homeowners make the best choice for their specific needs, aesthetic preferences, and budget constraints.

The Janka hardness scale measures a wood’s resistance to denting and wear, providing an objective measure of durability. Hickory ranks at approximately 1820 on the Janka scale, making it one of the hardest domestic hardwoods available and about 41% harder than red oak. This exceptional hardness makes hickory extremely resistant to dents, scratches, and everyday wear.

Red oak measures around 1290 on the Janka scale, while white oak measures higher at approximately 1360. While not as hard as hickory, oak still provides excellent durability for residential applications. Both flooring types can last 100+ years with proper maintenance, though hickory may show less wear in high-traffic areas over time.

For households with active children, pets, or heavy furniture, hickory’s superior hardness offers significant advantages. However, in average residential settings with normal foot traffic, the durability difference may not be noticeable for many years.

Appearance and Grain Patterns

Hickory flooring is characterized by dramatic color variations and bold, distinctive grain patterns that create visual interest and rustic charm. The natural color range spans from creamy white sapwood to reddish-brown or dark brown heartwood, often with significant variation within a single plank. This pronounced contrast gives hickory floors a striking, character-rich appearance.

Oak offers more moderate color variations and a more consistent, traditional appearance. Red oak exhibits pinkish to reddish-brown tones with prominent grain patterns, while white oak features golden-brown to grayish-brown tones with straighter grain patterns and more subtle figuring.

Oak’s more uniform appearance makes it versatile for various design styles, while hickory’s dramatic variations create a more distinctive look. The choice between them often comes down to whether you prefer consistency or character in your flooring aesthetic.

Staining Considerations

Oak accepts stains very evenly, allowing for precise color control when finishing. This predictable staining behavior makes oak extremely versatile for achieving specific design aesthetics. The moderate grain pattern shows through stain beautifully, enhancing the wood’s natural character without overwhelming the space.

Hickory’s dramatic color variations make it challenging to stain evenly. Darker stains can help reduce the contrast between heartwood and sapwood, but complete color uniformity is difficult to achieve. Many homeowners choose to embrace hickory’s natural variations with clear or light finishes rather than attempting to standardize its appearance.

Price Comparison

Wood Type	Average Price Per Square Foot (Materials Only)	Installed Cost Per Square Foot
Hickory	$6-$13	$12-$23
Red Oak	$3-$8	$8-$15
White Oak	$4-$10	$9-$18

Oak flooring is typically 25-40% less expensive than hickory flooring of comparable quality. This price difference reflects both the greater abundance of oak trees in North America and the more straightforward milling process oak requires. For a typical 500-square-foot installation, choosing oak over hickory could save approximately $2,000-$4,000 in material costs alone.

Premium grades and specialized treatments can significantly affect pricing for both wood types. Engineered versions of both hickory and oak tend to be less expensive than solid hardwood but still maintain the price differential between species.

Installation Costs and Considerations

Installation costs for both hickory and oak flooring typically range from $4-$8 per square foot, depending on your location, floor preparation requirements, and installation complexity. However, hickory’s extreme hardness makes it more challenging to cut, nail, and work with, potentially increasing labor costs by 10-20% compared to oak installation.

Professional installers often charge premium rates for hickory flooring because it dulls tools more quickly and requires greater skill and effort to install correctly. DIY installation is considerably more challenging with hickory, making it less suitable for homeowners planning to install their own flooring.

Both wood types adapt well to various installation methods, including nail-down, glue-down, and floating installation systems for engineered versions. However, proper acclimation is essential for both, with wood needing to adjust to home conditions for at least 3-5 days before installation.

Best Brands for Hickory Flooring

• Bruce Hardwood – Their Hickory collection offers a wide range of colors and finishes at mid-range price points ($7-10/sq ft). Known for consistent quality and nationwide availability.
• Somerset Hardwood – Premium hickory options with excellent milling precision and finish quality. Their Appalachian Hickory collection ($8-12/sq ft) features a 50-year warranty.
• Carlisle Wide Plank Floors – Luxury custom hickory flooring with exceptional craftsmanship. Their handcrafted hickory floors ($12-20/sq ft) offer premium wide planks and custom finishing options.
• Shaw Floors – Offers both solid and engineered hickory options with innovative finishes and warranty protection ($6-11/sq ft).

Best Brands for Oak Flooring

• Armstrong Flooring – Their Prime Harvest Oak collection ($5-9/sq ft) offers exceptional consistency and surface treatments that enhance durability.
• Mannington – Their engineered oak flooring ($6-10/sq ft) features proprietary finishing technology and environmental certifications.
• Mullican Flooring – Known for high-quality domestic oak products with excellent milling precision ($4-8/sq ft) and responsible harvesting practices.
• Mohawk – Offers innovative oak flooring with water-resistant technology and comprehensive warranty coverage ($5-9/sq ft).
• Bona Craft Oil – Specializes in white oak flooring with natural oil finishes ($7-12/sq ft) that enhance the wood’s natural beauty.

Pros and Cons of Hickory Flooring

Pros

• Superior hardness and dent resistance, ideal for high-traffic areas and homes with children and pets
• Distinctive character with dramatic grain patterns and color variations for unique visual appeal
• Excellent longevity, potentially lasting generations with proper care
• Natural resistance to moisture damage compared to many other hardwoods
• Increasing value as a premium flooring material that can enhance home resale value

Cons

• Significantly higher cost than oak and many other domestic hardwoods
• Challenging installation requiring specialized tools and experienced professionals
• Difficult to stain evenly due to natural color variations
• Extremely hard surface can be uncomfortable underfoot without area rugs
• Dramatic grain patterns may clash with certain interior design styles

Pros and Cons of Oak Flooring

Pros

• More affordable than hickory while still offering excellent durability
• Accepts stains evenly for greater color flexibility and customization
• Classic appearance that coordinates well with various design styles
• Easier installation with standard woodworking tools
• Abundant availability and wide selection of grades and finishes

Cons

• Less resistant to denting and scratching than hickory
• Red oak has lower moisture resistance than white oak or hickory
• Less distinctive appearance may seem commonplace to some homeowners
• Can develop reddish or amber tones over time with exposure to light
• May require more frequent refinishing in high-traffic areas

Maintenance and Longevity

Both hickory and oak floors require similar maintenance routines: regular sweeping or vacuuming with a hard floor attachment, prompt cleaning of spills, and periodic cleaning with approved hardwood floor cleaners. Refinishing is typically needed every 10-20 years, depending on wear, though hickory may extend this interval due to its superior hardness.

Oak’s slightly softer nature makes refinishing easier and less expensive, as it requires less aggressive sanding. Hickory’s extreme hardness can make refinishing more challenging and potentially more costly, requiring specialized equipment and experienced professionals.

Both wood types respond well to humidity control, with optimal indoor humidity levels between 35-55%. Excessive dryness can cause shrinkage and gaps, while excessive moisture can lead to cupping or warping. White oak offers slightly better moisture resistance than red oak, making it more suitable for areas with occasional moisture concerns.

Which Flooring Is Best For Your Needs?

Choose hickory if: You prioritize maximum durability, appreciate distinctive character-rich appearance, have an active household with pets or children, and are willing to invest more for a premium floor that will last generations.

Choose oak if: You prefer a more consistent traditional appearance, plan to apply specific stain colors, want a proven classic hardwood with excellent value, or are working within a moderate budget while still wanting excellent quality and longevity.

Regional preferences also influence these choices, with hickory being particularly popular in rustic and mountain homes in the Midwest and South, while oak maintains strong popularity in the Northeast and traditional homes throughout the country. Both options represent excellent investments that can enhance your home’s beauty and value for decades.