Red Oak

Red Oak, also known as Quercus rubra, is a hardwood native to the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. It’s known for its strength and durability, with a Janka hardness of 1,220 lb f. The heartwood is a light to medium brown, often with a reddish cast, while the sapwood is white to light brown.

The wood is mostly straight-grained, with a coarse texture. It’s easy to work with and responds well to steam-bending, gluing, staining, and finishing. However, it has moderately high shrinkage values, resulting in mediocre dimensional stability, especially in flatsawn boards. It can also react with iron, particularly when wet, causing staining and discoloration.

Despite being rated as non-durable to perishable with poor insect resistance, Red Oak is widely used in cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, flooring, and veneer. It’s arguably the most popular hardwood in the United States, often used in homes for its handsome appearance and moderate price. However, it’s worth noting that Red Oak does not have the level of decay and rot resistance that White Oak possesses.

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