White Oak

General Description

American White Oak (Quercus Alba) is distinct from Western Europe Oak (Quercus Robur & Petraea). It is generally produced from a smaller log and is less durable than the European variety. However it is very popular for interior joinery, furniture and kitchens. Thinner boards are price competitive but this may change for boards over 50mm thick. Grade mainly FAS but also #1cmn & btr in 25mm thick is often used by volume furniture producers.

Widths: 100mm- 225mm, but 250mm & wider premium price bundles are also stocked.
Lengths: mainly 2.4m, 3.1m, 3.6m and some 4.2m.

Working Properties

  • Machines well
  • Good for nailing and screwing, although pre-boring is advisable (also reacts with Iron)
  • Gluing results are variable
  • Stains and polishes well
  • Dries slowly and care is needed to avoid checking
  • Can be susceptible to movement in performance

Physical Properties

  • Heavy and hard
  • Medium bending and crushing strength properties, but very good in steam bending
  • Southern White Oak is heavier and harder

Durability

  • Heartwood is resistant to decay and extremeley resistant to preservative treatment
  • Sapwood is moderately resistant to preservative treatment

Main Uses

  • Construction
  • Furniture
  • Flooring
  • Architectural Joinery
  • Exterior Joinery
  • Mouldings
  • Doors
  • Kitchen cabinets
  • Panelling
  • Barrel staves