Red Oak
Quercus rubra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1290 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Moderately Durable (resistant to wear, but vulnerable to rot and insects outdoors without treatment)
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Grain Pattern
Pronounced open grain with distinct cathedral patterns and flat-sawn characteristics visible across the strip flooring boards.
Color & Appearance
Medium brown with warm reddish-brown undertones, typical of stained or aged red oak, showing moderate color variation between boards.
Hardness (Janka)
1290 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately Durable (resistant to wear, but vulnerable to rot and insects outdoors without treatment)
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 3.50 to 6.00 USD per square foot for finished flooring material
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated 20 to 40 years old based on typical strip flooring installation styles and surface wear patterns
- Sustainability Status
- Abundant and sustainable, widely available with no CITES restrictions or IUCN concerns
Common Uses
Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, interior millwork, and stairs
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Good workability; machines and glues well, but the coarse open grain requires pore filling for a completely smooth finish
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or water-based floor finish applied over properly sanded and optionally pore-filled surfaces
Notable Features
Open cellular structure, high porosity, prominent growth rings, and distinct ray fleck when quarter-sawn
