American White Oak
Quercus alba
Imported HardwoodNorth America: Eastern United States and Canada
Also known as: White Oak
Appearance
American White Oak heartwood is light to medium brown, sometimes with an olive cast. The grain is straight with a coarse, uneven texture and prominent rays that produce an attractive fleck pattern on quarter-sawn surfaces. It has a warm, classic character that has made it one of the most popular hardwoods worldwide.
Workability
American White Oak machines well with sharp tooling. It takes stain excellently, allowing a wide range of finishes from natural to dark. It glues, nails, and screws satisfactorily with pre-drilling. Steam-bends very well. One of the most versatile and widely used hardwoods in the world.
Common Uses
✓Flooring
✓Furniture and cabinetry
✓Joinery
✓Staircase components
✓Panelling
✓Barrel making (cooperage)
✓Boat building
Typical Colour
Density
770 kg/m³
Janka Hardness6 kN
SoftHard
Above GroundHigh
In GroundModerate
Not termite resistant