White Oak

White Oak is strong and beautiful wood. It is rot-resistance and economical. Easy to work with it is widely used in cabinet and furniture.

White Oak Characteristics: Either hand or machine tools will produce desired results. Note Oak is not dimensional stable and can have medium high shrinkage. Like many hardwoods, Oak can react with iron causing staining and discoloration. Glues, stains, and finishes well.

White Oak uses: Cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, flooring, and veneer.

White Oak Color: Light to medium brown heartwood. It will have a slight olive cast. Sapwood (white to light brown) is not always sharply demarcated from the heartwood. Quartersawn red oak will display ray fleck patterns. Red oak tends to be redder.

White Oak Hardness: It has a Janka or hardness of 1350 lbs.

White Oak Durability: Very durable. At one time common in boatbuilding.

White Oak Sustainability: It is not listed in CITES and is abundant.

White Oak vs Red Oak

• White oak more resistant to rot than red and can more readily be used outdoors.
• Red oak should be used interior applications.
• White oak tends to be more dense than red oak
• White oak tends to be more expensive than red oak