STRENGTHS

-economical and abundant

-reddish brown color

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WEAKNESSES

-less figure than other oaks

-difficult to season

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Wood Type: Temperate hardwood

Sources: North America

Cost: Moderate

Red oak (Quercus rubra) otherwise known as northern red oak or southern red oak is characterized by its colors ranging from grayish white to pale reddish brown; the heartwood is pinkish to light reddish brown. It lacks the patterning or figuring of rays that is found in white oak.

Red oak has a medium strength and it does bend well. This oak has a high shock-resistance and crushing strength which makes it ideal for flooring. While the sapwood should be avoided, it is not always counted as a defect. The critical thing to remember is that it reacts badly with ferrous metals. Steel screws will corrode and eventually break, while also staining the wood. Red oak is used for furniture,cabinet work, interior trim, and slack or “dry” barrel making and is often sliced into veneer for paneling and plywood.

Red oak is abundant and in no danger. It is widely available,more economical than white oak and certified suppliers are easy to find.