Red Oak
Quercus rubra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1220 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Moderately durable; susceptible to insect attack and decay if left untreated or exposed to moisture, though adequate for indoor furniture.
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Grain Pattern
Prominent cathedral grain pattern with visible growth rings, featuring a mix of flat-sawn and quarter-sawn boards displaying characteristic oak ray fleck.
Color & Appearance
Warm medium reddish-brown tone with natural golden highlights, medium luster, and dark stain application emphasizing the open pore structure.
Hardness (Janka)
1220 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately durable; susceptible to insect attack and decay if left untreated or exposed to moisture, though adequate for indoor furniture.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $3.00 to $6.00 per board foot for standard domestic lumber.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Relatively recent construction or newly finished piece, estimated 0 to 5 years old.
- Sustainability Status
- Least concern, highly sustainable, abundantly available, and widely harvested across North America with strong FSC availability.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, interior trim, and architectural millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, planes and glues well, though open pores require grain filler for a perfectly smooth finish.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains, dyes, oils, and varnishes exceptionally well; often enhanced with a tinted stain and sealed with polyurethane or lacquer.
Notable Features
Open, porous end grain structure and distinct ray fleck patterns when quarter-sawn.
