Preserving, Refinishing, and Installing Hardwood Flooring since 1980.

Shown below with water-based finish (top),
and oil-based finish (bottom)

APPEARANCE

Color: Heartwood is yellowish to orange-brown when freshly cut, turning brown or dark red-brown upon exposure.
Grain: Straight to interlocked or wavy; coarse texture.
Species & Grade Variations: Moderate to high variation in color.

PROPERTIES

Hardness (Janka): 1925; 49% harder than Northern Red Oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00158; 57% more stable than Red Oak). However, actual installations have demonstrated significant movement in use.
Durability: Strength is comparable to Hickory, but density is somewhat lower.

WORKABILITY

Sawing / Machining: Sawing is difficult; wood gums saw teech and dulls cutting edges; carbide tooling recommended.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Good holding ability.
Finishing: Wood stains black in contact with ferrous metals or moisture.
Comments: High resistance to termites.

COST

(Relative to plainsawn select Red Oak.)
Multiplier: 1.25

AVAILABILITY

Limited.