Red Oak

The oaks are the most abundant U.S. hardwood species. It would be difficult to name a wood with a longer and more illustrious history in furnishings and interior design. Oak was a favorite of early English craftsmen and a prized material for American Colonists. 

Red oak grows only in North America and is found further north than any other oak species. A big, slow growing tree, red oak takes 20 years to mature and lives an average of 300 years.

Color: Ranges from nearly white cream color to a beautiful warm, pale brown heartwood, tinted with red.

Grain: The grain is distinguished by rays, which reflect light and add to its attractiveness.  Depending on the way the logs are sawn into timber (rift-cut, flat sliced, flat sawn, rotary cut, quartered), many distinctive and sought after patterns emerge: flake figures, pin stripes, fine lines, leafy grains and watery figures.

Characteristics: Heavy, very strong and very hard, stiff, durable under exposure, great wear-resistance, holds nails and screws well.

Uses: Flooring, furniture, cabinets, ships and decorative woodwork.

Finishing: Oaks can be stained beautifully with a wide range of finish tones.