Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Red Oak is the most widely used hardwood in North America, valued for its strength, attractive grain, and widespread availability. This classic wood features prominent open grain patterns with warm reddish undertones that have made it the standard for flooring, furniture, and cabinetry for generations. Red Oak's excellent workability, moderate pricing, and consistent quality make it the go-to choice for projects requiring a reliable and attractive domestic hardwood.
Janka Hardness
1290 lbf
Hard
Density
44 lbs/ft³
Medium-dense
Shrinkage
High (8.6% tangential, 4.0% radial)
Higher movement
Appearance
Color: Light to medium brown with distinctive pinkish to reddish undertones. Prominent ring-porous grain pattern.
Grain: Straight grain with coarse, open ring-porous texture. Prominent grain pattern with visible rays.
Key Characteristics
- •Most popular US hardwood
- •Prominent attractive grain
- •Strong and durable
- •Excellent workability
- •Widely available
- •Takes stain very well
Common Applications
Maintenance
Good durability indoors. Polyurethane or oil finish protects and enhances grain. Not naturally durable outdoors - open pores absorb moisture.
Advantages
- +Most affordable premium hardwood
- +Beautiful pronounced grain
- +Extremely widely available
- +Excellent staining properties
- +Strong and durable for indoor use
- +Industry standard - easy to match
Considerations
- •Open pores absorb moisture - poor for outdoor use
- •Not as water-resistant as White Oak
- •Can look dated in some design contexts
- •Reddish tones don't suit all color schemes
- •Higher shrinkage than White Oak
- •Tannins can react with certain finishes