Preserving, Refinishing, and Installing Hardwood Flooring since 1980.

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

APPEARANCE

Color: Heartwood is brown when freshly cut, turning deep purple to purplish brown over time. Sapwood is a lighter cream color.
Grain: Usually straight; medium to fine texture.
Species & Grade Variations: Moderate to high color variation.

PROPERTIES

Hardness (Janka): 1860; 44% harder than Northern Red Oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00212; 43% more stable than Red Oak).
Durability: Very strong and dense.

WORKABILITY

Sawing / Machining: Moderately difficult due to hardness; frequent sharpening of tools required; slow feed rate and carbide tooling recommended.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Good holding ability.
Finishing: Takes finishes well; some have found that water-based finishes hold color better. Tendency to bleed with some finishes.
Comments: Heartwood is very resistant to dry-wood termites. Presence of minerals in some boards may cause uneven coloration.

COST

(Relative to plainsawn select Red Oak.)
Multiplier: 2.30

AVAILABILITY

Limited.