How do I tell the difference between white oak and red oak hardwood?

Question

I have some old boards I'm trying to reclaim and would like to know how I can tell the difference between white oak and red oak hardwood.

Answer 1

Scott when rip a piece of red oak the edge will look red your white oak will be off white color.  Cut a piece cross grain and than rip with the grain if it is red oak you will have different color, you have red oak.  It is the most common.

Good Luck

Answer 2

We installed white oak flooring recently.  In the store, we could tell the difference because the white oak definitely had more of a yellowish tone, the color was softer and the variation between the light color in the wood and the dark seemed to contrast more.   When we looked closely at the two woods together, the red seemed to have deeper undertones also. I think they bundled a little red oak with our white oak (noticed when we were installing) and since we used the same stain on it, I can't find those pieces.  I'm not a professional, so this is just what I observed.  I hope it helps!