Origin
Northeastern United States, Upper Midwest
Janka Hardness
1,220 lbf
Average Weight
3.65 lbs/bf
Color
Light to medium brown heartwood with a reddish cast; pale sapwood with gradual transition to heartwood; quartersawn surfaces display prominent ray fleck patterns; white oak may show a slightly more olive tone, though color alone is not a reliable identifier between oak species.
Working Characteristics
- Works well with hand and machine tools
- ranked among the top domestic hardwoods for machinability
- high shrinkage values result in mediocre dimensional stability, especially in flatsawn boards
- avoid contact with iron when wet to prevent staining
- responds well to steam bending
- glues, stains, and finishes well.
Species Specifications
| Botanical Name | Quercus rubra |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Red Oak, Northern red oak, American red oak |
| Origin | Northeastern United States, Upper Midwest |
| Average Weight | 3.65 lbs/bf |
| Janka Hardness | 1,220 lbf |
| Pore Structure | Ring Porous |
| Grain / Texture | Straight grain with coarse, uneven texture; exceptionally large, open pores — a defining characteristic of the species. |
| Rot Resistance | Rated non-durable to perishable; poor insect resistance; prone to discoloration and staining when exposed to water, particularly in porous growth ring areas; lacks the decay and rot resistance of white oak. |
Hardness Compared to Other Woods
See where Red Oak, Northern red oak, American red oak falls on the Janka hardness scale compared to other familiar hardwoods.
Softer
Harder
Basswood
410
Cherry
950
Walnut
1010
Red Oak
1290
Hard Maple
1450
Hickory
1820
Purpleheart
2520
The Janka hardness rating measures resistance to denting and wear. Higher numbers generally indicate a harder, denser wood.
Technical Properties
| Shrinkage | Radial: 4%, Tangential: 8.6%, Volumetric: 13.7%, T/R Ratio: 2.2 |
|---|---|
| Modulus of Rupture | 14,380 lbf/in2 |
| Elastic Modulus | 1,761,000 lbf/in2 |
| Crushing Strength | 6,780 lbf/in2 |
Why Woodworkers Choose Capital Hardwood
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