General Description
European Oak is sourced from France, Germany, Belgium and a small amount from within the UK. A range of 'European' grades are available. For example, QBA grade logs are the highest joinery / cabinet-making grade and QB1 allows for a small knot content, followed by QB2 etc. The square-edge grading is 'QF' such as QFA, QF1b / 2x, QF3 etc. and is generally in 27mm thickness and is often used for floorings or for PTGV claddings.
Construction beams and posts are sawn 'green' in 'QP' grades, such as QPA which has minimal defect, with alternatives of QP1, QP2 etc.
For more detail please visit the European website www.fnbois.com
Beamstock is 3-4 year naturally seasoned oak. To find out more about Beamstock, please click here.
European Oak is one of the most durable and versatile species. Its natural tannin content enhances its durability. After fresh-sawing, as a process of drying, tannin can create patches of dark brown on the sawn face (which disappear when planed) or lighter variation as the tannin 'migrates'. The quarter-sawn boards have an interesting medullary ray visible on the surface, which is not only more stable but also aesthetically pleasing.
Oak takes a long time to dry and is generally kiln dried in only 20 - 80mm thickness boards. The exception being 100 x 100mm squares which we stock with a 30mm diameter lengthwise drilled-core which facilitates kilning.
Working Properties
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Machinability varies form well to with moderate difficulty |
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Good for nailing and screwing, pre-boring recommended |
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Glues well |
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Stains, waxes and polishes well |
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Bends well when steamed |
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Oak dries very slowly with a marked tendency to split and check |
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Considerable risk of honeycombing if the drying is forced |
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Subject to a large shrinkage and moderate movement in performance |
Physical Properties
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High strength properties |
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Medium bending and crushing strength |
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Low stiffness and shock resistance |
Durability
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Durable |
Main Uses
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Construction |
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Furniture |
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Flooring |
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Architectural Joinery |
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Exterior Joinery |
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Mouldings |
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doors |
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Kitchen cabinets |
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Panelling |
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Railway sleepers |
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Timber bridges |
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Barrel staves |
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Coffins and caskets |
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