Red Oak
Quercus rubra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,220 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Moderately Durable; vulnerable to insect attack and decay when exposed to moisture, making it best suited for indoor applications.
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Grain Pattern
Prominent cathedral grain with a mix of plain-sawn and quarter-sawn boards, featuring distinct growth rings and open pores characteristic of red oak.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown with distinct pinkish or reddish undertones in the heartwood, and a lighter pale brown to whitish sapwood. Moderate natural luster with a warm golden-amber cast from the existing clear finish.
Hardness (Janka)
1,220 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately Durable; vulnerable to insect attack and decay when exposed to moisture, making it best suited for indoor applications.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $3.00 to $6.00 per board foot for lumber, or standard pre-finished/unfinished strip flooring pricing.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be 10 to 30 years old, based on the style of strip flooring installation, standard wear, and ambering of the polyurethane finish.
- Sustainability Status
- Abundant, sustainable, and widely available; not listed on CITES appendices and generally evaluated as least concern on the IUCN Red List.
Common Uses
Flooring, furniture, interior trim, cabinetry, millwork, and staircase construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Good overall workability; machines, turns, glues, and takes stains well, though the open pores may require grain filler for a perfectly smooth finish.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane, varnish, or conversion varnish applied over a well-sanded surface; accepts oil-based finishes especially well to highlight the reddish undertones.
Notable Features
Distinctive pink-red hue, coarse texture with large open pores visible on the surface, and high responsiveness to water-based or oil-based stains.
