Oak Vs Walnut | Which Wood is Better for Furniture?

Do you know how wood gives a different look to a room? Well, it can! Oak and walnut are the wood types that designers appreciate the most. The choice of wood in interior design can have a significant impact on how a room feels and appears sturdy and environmentally friendly. Oak and walnut are two of the most common wood choices that interior designers use in their work.

Hence, Oak and walnut sound alike, right? On the other hand, they are not too alike. In this article, we will compare oak and walnut, what they look like, how strong they are, how environmentally friendly they are, and where you can use them in your house.

Oak vs Walnut Wood Table Comparison

Walnut and oak are high-end hardwoods used to craft furniture, flooring, cabinets, and various other indoor products.

They are both extremely hard and abrasion-resistant. The slow-growing cycle of these trees is the main reason they have a more extended growth period, resulting in high wood density.

To give you a quick overview of their similarities and differences, take a look at this chart:

Oak is durable and suitable for outdoor use because it contains compounds that prevent pests, fungi, and moisture from damaging it.

The walnut costs more owing to its rarity. On the other hand, Oak is a bit cheaper, making it famous because it’s also very sturdy.

Walnut and oak are not alike. Therefore, they are used for different types of furniture. Some people are more attracted to one style than the other.

Oak and walnut can both have stains, but their appearances are the only differences. Look at some stained wood pieces to get an idea of what you’ll be getting.

Introducing Oak Wood

Apart from the Walnut tree, oak has rough wood consisting of different species like Red and White oak. They are excellent, and they don’t bend or break easily. As such, they are suitable for use in flooring and furniture production. In the structure of the oak wood (mentioning red oak wood specifically), it is possible to see the lines and mites that allow scratches and scrapes to be hidden.

In doing this, most of the people came up with maple as their first wood choice for the floor. Oak is also much more complicated than walnut. Therefore, it does not dent or get scratched that easily. Unlike walnut wood, that equates to less simplistic activity needed to maintain it.

Aesthetic Qualities

The most preferential one for me is this texture, as it shows a beautiful variety of brown and gold colours. Indeed, European White Oak has a light scent, and its colour is tan-brown. This is primarily because of the prevalence of all four seasonal changes in the mercies of nature rather than being constrained to conventional ones. Light in colour, oak can do magic when used in a simple Scandinavian interior. In addition, since it is light in colour, it will not be affected by the sun and will still preserve its good appearance for a long time.

Oak Wood Grain

The tiger-like pattern in my oak tree’s lines is also a good sign. And worse, if you stain it, its lines will be entirely different, and some people might not like it. White oak trees’ softness and golden colour prove they are different from red oaks. Hence, if you don’t want so much of the differences in tonality and markings, White Oak will suit you more.

Introducing Walnut Wood

Unlike walnut wood, a general-purpose product with wide availability and affordable prices, maples are niche products; hence, their unit cost is much higher. This is a light type of wood, so you can use it to make interior items. It is the most desired in producing cabinets, furniture and other small wood products.

There is a variety of walnut wood, such as English and Black. However, the Black and English varieties occupy a privileged place. Black Walnut provides all this hardwood. Meanwhile, the English Walnut is reared for its nuts.

Luxury Appeal

For example, we always like products that have walnut wood in them because it makes them look expensive and fancy. Therefore, unlike other woods, walnut wood are hard to replace.

Grain Patterns

Walnut wood has lines but is not as neat as oak. That’s the primary reason it’s not an ideal floor since it displays traces of scratches too soon. Softwood may require frequent waxing.

Colour Variations

Walnut is smooth with shades of cream to dark brown, and sometimes, a bit of purple is present. Its timber frequently has thin ashes and wavy lines, which many designers and people adore. Walnut, in contrast to oak, is darker and a bit fancier, so furniture made from it is excellent and somewhat personal. More paints are used with the browns and tans, making walnut wood the most exclusive.

Susceptibility To Sun Damage

If you put in walnut furniture, don’t forget to check the amount of sunlight it gets. The colour of walnut may rapidly change if it is constantly exposed to the sun.

Brief Comparing of Walnut vs Oak

In carpentry, walnut and oak are the most celebrated wood species. However, besides their individual qualities and adaptability, there are some differences, like the fittings and furniture used.

Appearance

When you gaze at a walnut and an oak, the appearance is entirely different. Walnut is a warm colour that goes well with many other interior colours.

The primary difference is the arrangement of the wood grain, called lines. Walnut is more refined as it has smoother lines, while oak is more characterful as it has rougher and more noticeable lines. As oak has lots of grains, it is sturdy and robust; it is suitable for walls, floors, and furniture that are used regularly. Oak common uses include Doors, Flooring, Interior furniture, Cladding, Fencing, Decking and Timber-framed outdoor structures.

It is the reason why oak is extensively preferred for flooring. The walnut will suit your kitchen cabinets and flooring. Therefore, oak is not commonly used for floors as it once was. Walnut common uses include Doors, Flooring, Luxury interior furniture, Cabinetry, As a veneer, Panelling and Small items.

Durability

Walnut and oak are solid woods but have some dissimilarities, too. Oak is harder than a walnut and can endure more without being broken. It is so powerful that individuals use it for interior and exterior purposes, such as ladders, decks, and fences. Oak is heavier than a walnut and is made of naturally composed materials that resist water and bugs.

Walnut is harder than oak but is still solid and can take a hit without breaking. In addition, it is also immune to pests and rotting. However, if walnut furniture spends too much time in the sun, it may start turning a different colour, and that’s not good for outdoor furniture.

Maintenance

Taking care of walnut wood is easy. Dust it weekly and polish it every half year to keep it nice and shiny. However, when cleaning it, remember that walnut wood is soft. In addition, do not wear high heels or go out with heavy things on walnut floors.

Oak requires the same kind of attention that walnut does. Having lines in the wood that make it collect more dust and dirt, you have to thoroughly dust it and clean it regularly using a gentle wood cleaner.

Price

Oak is generally cheaper than walnut because of its abundance and speed of growth. The price of oak can be different depending on the kind you pick. The cost of red oak is lower than that of white oak as there is more of it available. Rustic European Oak, starts from £57 + VAT per m2, with Prime European Oak flooring from £69.50 + VAT per m2.

Rustic American White Oak comes in at an even more budget-friendly price point: £40.50 + VAT per m2, with Prime American White Oak from £60.50 + VAT.

However, walnut wood is extravagant and very expensive as compared to oak. It has fewer walnut wood and grows much slower, but overall, it looks great. And that is the reason people use it for costly stuff like furniture and floors. American Black Walnut on the other hand, starts at £115.50 + VAT per square metre

Remember that walnut and oak are more expensive than timber like cherry or cedar. But they’re worth it because they’re strong and look good, so they’re a good investment.

FAQs

Is Walnut More Durable than Oak?

Wood pick for furniture durability should be a huge concern. It should be on top of when you are buying one. Oak, which is renowned for being super strong no matter if it is exposed to a lot of water or dry, is resistant to rotting. Furthermore, walnut is not as stiff as oak. Moreover, typically the oak is harder, compared to walnut.

Is Oak or Walnut Stronger?

Being strong is vital, probably the most important thing when it comes to furniture. Oak impresses with its strength, enduring multiple uses without damage. The walnut is known to be just as strong as the oak. however, not as powerful. If you consider buying hard-working furniture, sparingly any oak would be an improvement to your shop.

What’s More Expensive, Walnut or Oak?

With oak being a lot cheaper than walnut because it’s pretty abundant, it’s per person to use oak in their cupboards. However, walnut is a competitor product, usually more expensive because they’re not as much. On the other hand, people like them a lot. If you are not willing to spend too much money, probably then oak could be a more suitable option.

Can You Stain an Oak to Look Like a Walnut?

By just changing the color of oak, you can make walnut-look-a-like. In this manner oak furniture can be made look like what walnut does. But do remember that the lines in your oak tree may be different from that in a walnut tree. What is going to be eye-catching for your buyer is the dark walnut, but if you combine it with strong and affordable oak furniture, It will become hooked as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, everything comes down to your ideal design concept, financial constraints, and whether or not you are interested in sustainability. Both these woods give different qualities and advantages that can add aesthetic value and initially serve the purpose of the space. Whether it be the aesthetics, the durability, the sustainability, or the costs, you can make a smart choice that aligns with your design purpose when you consider these factors. Whether you prefer the elegance of oak or the luxury of walnut, you can reach a new level in your interior design by choosing either of the woods.

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