Wood species
Red Oak
American red oak · Quercus rubra
Our kiln-dried red oak is sourced from a mill who specializes in domestic red oak production. Their expertise and access to supply allows them to offer beautiful, wide, high-quality boards with no sign of case-hardening.
Key facts
- Janka hardness
- Medium-highSolid dent resistance for furniture and flooring
- Stability
- Average for oakExpect seasonal width movement on plain-sawn faces
- Grain type
- Straight and coarseStraight and coarse with very open pores
- Rot resistance
- Indoor defaultPrefer white oak when moisture resistance matters
- Sustainability
- Domestic stapleAbundant North American hardwood
- Workability
- ExcellentExcellent workability with machines and hand tools
About this wood
Red oak is a staple for furniture, flooring, and cabinets — durable, affordable, and one of the easier open-pore woods to stain with little fuss.
Heartwood carries a reddish cast versus white oak’s olive brown. Prefer white oak when moisture resistance matters; reach for red oak when budget and classic cathedral grain lead the brief.
What we carry
- Red oak for furniture, trim, and painted/stain work where open grain is welcome
Thickness is sold in quarters (4/4, 6/4, and so on) — see our hardwood thickness guide. Grades: NHLA grades.