Red Oak
From Floor Coverings
Contents |
Wood Species
Red Oak
Biological name
Quercus, rubra
Originates from or commonly found in
North America
Physical appearance
The Red Oak tree grows to a height between 70-90 feet. Its trunk has a diameter of 2-4 feet. The tree has a single, lobed leaf with seven to eleven pointed or bristly-tipped lobes. The leaves are thin, firm, dull green above, yellow-green below, and vary considerably to light red. The fruit is a large, broad, rounded acorn. The sapwood of red oak is white to light brown and the heartwood is a pinkish reddish brown.
Flooring Properties
Red Oak is the most popular domestic hardwood species. It is known for being stiff and dense, however, not so hard as to make working difficult. The wood sands well and finishes well and machine-works exceptionally well. Red Oaks working attributes taken with is density and resistance to bending makes it a natural choice for flooring. Because the wood is open-pored and has a coarse grain, there is a strong stain contrast after the finishing. The level of color change from light exposure is moderate, and will amber the pinkish tan hue.
Janka Rating
Red Oak has a hardness rating of 1290.
