Oak vs Pine Which Solid Wood Frame Suits You Best

By Jonny Haskins 5 February 2024

Oak and pine are two types of wood that are often compared due to their similar appearance, especially when being used on a bed frame.

Naturally, we all want the very best for the place we choose to rest our heads, so it’s completely understandable why these two prominent wood finishes are pit against each other so much.

Maybe you’re in the market for a new bed frame and have come into this all-too-popular debate of pine vs oak? If so, we’re here to provide some clarity. In this article, we’ll explain the differences and similarities between oak and pine to help you decide which one is best.

The Difference Between Oak and Pine

Appearance

More often than not, oak tends to have a darker hue when compared to pine. This hue isn’t as dark as something like maple or ebony, but it’s definitely ever so slightly softer on the eyes, especially when compared to pine.

Pine, on the other hand, has a much lighter appearance compared to oak. Granted, this does give a bit more room for alteration with things like staining and sanding, the differences don’t just stop at colour.

Oak has a grain pattern that is very traditional; it’s the quintessential appearance of what most people would describe as a wood effect. There’re plenty of knots and waves that help oak furniture feel more like a modern finish than pine, with pine having darker knots than oak which makes it something that you either love or hate. 

So, if you’re in a state of back and forth between oak grain vs pine grain, the key takeaways are that oak has a more traditional wood look with waves and swirls, but pine has darker swirls compared to the overall colour of the wood itself. 

For what it’s worth, pine tends to take to paint much easier when compared to oak. The straighter grain is preferable when trying to get a nice smooth finish which can later be waxed or glossed over. Like with our Low Oriental Wood Bed Frame, for example. 

In either a warm white or grey finish, this painted pine bed frame is great for adding a Scandinavian touch to your bedroom.

Advantages of Oak

So, to summarise why you may want to choose an oak finish on your bed frame:

  • Oak takes longer to grow, which makes it a very strong material

  • Oak has a more traditional wood effect finish

  • Oak is more resilient to use than other types of wood, and generally lasts longer

Advantages of Pine

While we’ve summarised oak, let’s now look to pine:

  • Pine has a very straight grain, making it a much more paintable wood

  • Pine tends to weigh less than other kinds of wood, making it easier to move around

  • Pine takes less time to grow, and is therefore much more available compared to oak

Stylish Wood Bed Frames From Get Laid Beds

So, between oak or pine, which is better? The answer to that question varies greatly, but a lot of it comes down to personal preference.

At Get Laid Beds, we design and build both oak and pine bed frames, so can personally attest to the quality and comfort of both materials. 

Has oak stood out to you? Maybe a pine bed is in your sights? Have a browse through all of our wood bed frames today and see which one takes your fancy. 

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