Description
Appearance
American red oak stains and polishes to a highly attractive finish, making it a popular choice for architects and furniture makers around the world. It has a white to light brown sapwood with heartwood of pink to red-brown. It has less figure than white oak, due to the smaller rays, and is also more porous at the end grain. It has a coarse texture and its grain is usually straight.
Common Applications
In Australia, American red oak is most often used in interior applications, such as flooring, furniture, joinery, cabinetry and panelling. It is also used in the interior of boats. Red oak is available as a thermally modified timber suitable for exterior decking and cladding.
Workability
Relatively easy to work, American red oak machines well and takes screws and nails, although pre-boring is recommended. It is rated as an excellent timber for drilling, planing and moulding, and it stains and polishes to a high finish.
