Red Oak
Quercus rubra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1220 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Moderately Durable (resistant to wear, but susceptible to decay if exposed to moisture)
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Pronounced open grain with flat-sawn cathedral patterns on the center panel and straight grain on the stiles and rails, exhibiting typical ring-porous structure.
Color & Appearance
Medium reddish-brown heartwood with lighter brownish-tan sapwood; exhibits warm golden undertones and moderate natural luster.
Hardness (Janka)
1220 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately Durable (resistant to wear, but susceptible to decay if exposed to moisture)
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $3.00 to $6.00 per board foot (standard domestic grade)
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated 10 to 25 years old based on modern cabinet construction and light oxidation patina.
- Sustainability Status
- Abundant, sustainable, and widely available with no CITES restrictions; commonly FSC certified.
Common Uses
Cabinetry, furniture, flooring, interior trim, and millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Good workability overall; machines well, glues easily, and takes stains and finishes very uniformly, though open pores require grain filling for a smooth finish.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts oil-based finishes, polyurethane, lacquer, and stains very well; a paste wood grain filler is recommended if a glass-smooth surface is desired.
Notable Features
Distinctive coarse-textured ring-porous grain, high porosity in earlywood, and open vessels visible to the naked eye.
