Red Oak

Red Oak - Quercus rubra

General Description
• The sapwood is white to light brown
• The heartwood is a pinkish hue

Where It Grows
• Widespread throughout Eastern U.S.
• Average tree height is 60 to 80 feet

Physical Properties
• Hard and heavy, with medium bending strength and stiffness and high crushing strength
• Great wear-resistance
• Janka Rating System = 1290 (higher Janka rating = harder wood)

Relative Abundance
• 36.6 percent of total U.S. hardwoods commercially available
• The most widely used species

Did You Know?
• The bark from oak trees is rich in tannin
• The Red Oak is the state tree of New Jersey
• Oaks are by far the most abundant species group growing in Eastern hardwood forests
• Red oaks grow more abundantly than the white oaks
• The red oak group comprises many species, of which about eight are commercial

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  Red Oak Select

  Characterized by its wheat-pink to red color tones, Red Oak Select's grain pattern is known to vary and may contain a limited amount of mineral streaking. Red Oak Select also has an open grain pattern with small, linear pores making this material more suited to staining instead of painting.
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  Red Oak Finish Grade

  Red Oak Finish Grade is designed to be used when having your products finished by Decore-ative Specialties. With Finish Grade materials you will receive the material option that best suits the look you have selected, whether you choose a clear or stain finish. As a result, the amount of natural color or grain may vary depending on the selected finish.
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  Red Oak Natural

  Red Oak Natural features wheat-pink to red color tones and is characterized by having an allowance for color variation, mineral streaking, small closed knots, pin knots, and some sapwood.
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  Red Oak

  When used with drawer boxes and accessories, Red Oak features wheat-pink to red color tones with a porous, open grain pattern and allows for mineral streaks, some sapwood, and small pin knots, however this material is usually fairly clear from more major defects.
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  Red Oak Rustic Knotty

  Most recognized by its larger-sized open knots and knots which may contain small cracks, Red Oak Rustic Knotty is also characterized by wheat-pink to red color tones, with an allowance for color variation, mineral streaking, small closed knots, pin knots, and some sapwood.
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  Red Oak Quarter Sawn

  Quarter Sawn Red Oak is most noted as having a straigher grain pattern and "flake". Varying from wheat-pink to red color, this material will also present characteristics similar to a Select Grade with a reduced allowance for color variation, mineral streaks and knots.
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  Red Oak Rift

  Rift Sawn Red Oak is most noted as having the straightest grain pattern among the grades of Red Oak we offer. It will also present characteristics similar to a Select Grade with a reduced allowance for color variation, mineral streaks, knots, and some sapwood. The colors vary from a wheat-pink to red.
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  Plain Sliced Red Oak

  Utilized with Veneer Doors, Plain Sliced Red Oak is similar in character to Red Oak Select. This material may display more chevron or cathedral patterns in the grain, and the color is a consistent wheat-pink to red tone. The allowance for knots is typically reduced for veneer materials, though some mineral streaking may be visible on the face.
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  Red Oak Cabinet Grade

  Used for Sheet Goods, Red Oak Cabinet Grade offers similar color and grain characteristics as Red Oak Natural, however it is usually offered with more natural defects than a Select or Natural Grade. The Cabinet Grade typically is used to offer a more economical price for the lower grade face and back. Due to the higher allowance for natural characteristics this material is not recommended for clear finishes or use on End Panels.
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  Red Oak Veneer / MDF

  Red Oak Unfinished Veneer on a MDF core will display a fairly consistent color and grain pattern.