White Oak (or Red Oak)
Quercus alba (or Quercus rubra) · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,360 lbf (White Oak) / 1,290 lbf (Red Oak) - Hard
- Durability
- Slightly Durable to Durable depending on exact species (White Oak is durable and water resistant; Red Oak is slightly durable indoor grade).
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Flat-sawn (plain-sawn) display prominent cathedral grain figure with prominent porous open grain structure and fine linear rays typical of oak flooring.
Color & Appearance
Medium honey-brown to tan color with golden undertones. Heartwood shows standard light-to-medium brown hues, with dark grain lines typical of oak ring-porous structure.
Hardness (Janka)
1,360 lbf (White Oak) / 1,290 lbf (Red Oak) - Hard
Durability & Decay Resistance
Slightly Durable to Durable depending on exact species (White Oak is durable and water resistant; Red Oak is slightly durable indoor grade).
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $5.00 - $9.00 per square foot (Select grade oak flooring material value)
- Wood Age Estimate
- 30 to 60+ years old based on narrow floorboard widths (2.25 inch strip flooring standard), finish wear, ambering, and surface micro-pitting.
- Sustainability Status
- Abundant and sustainable; IUCN Red List - Least Concern; widely available with FSC certification.
Common Uses
Hardwood flooring, residential interior plank flooring, cabinetry, furniture construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Good workability with machine tools, cuts and sands easily, sands well, excellent holding power for fasteners and nails.
Finish Recommendations
Requires light sanding to clear old polyurethane/wax layer, followed by clear polyurethane (water-based or oil-based) or penetrating hardwax oil.
Notable Features
Distinctive ring-porous grain pattern with strong cathedral arching, high tannin content, classical North American hardwood flooring appearance.
