Ash wood flooring features light colors tan to dark brown; sapwood is creamy white. The appearance is similar to white oak but more yellow. Grain is bold, straight, moderately open with occasional wavy figuring, and can have strong contract in grain in plainsawn boards. Ash is harder than Northern red oak. Durability: elastic, hard, excellent shock resistance. Workability: Sawing; Good Nailing; Good holding; good resistance to splitting sanding. Ash hardwood flooring changes color over time from medium to tans.