looking for other peoples opinion, I am trying to decide between the two hardwood floors - both are 3/4" thk 2" wide prefinished

What would be a better choice? Natural Beech or Natural Oak?

All my existing kitchen cabinets, fireplace and living room furniture are red oak stained with a medium fruitwood (more golden than red tint). IMO the oak looks richer because of the grain, but I'm worried that it migtht be 'grain overload'

What do you think? Beech or Oak?

BTW I plan on installing this hardwood throughout the entire main level of my house - so its going to be everywhere.

Beech and N. American Red Oak are about the same hardness; Beech is 1300 PSI and red oak is 1290. However, beech is slighly less stable; meaning, it is more susceptable to expansion and contraction than red oak. Cost wise, it depends on where you get it. Many places sell prefinished beech for less than red oak. Also, beech comes two ways, natural or steamed, which is slightly darker and supposedly more uniform in appearence. Both make fine floors.

Thanks for your response,

I guess my question is it more inportant to keep wood types matched inside your home instead of mixing different grain patterns? meaning if you have oak throughout the house, should I be leaning towards oak floors?