- 4123 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421
- M-F 7:30am-4pm | Sat 10am-4pm
*Inventory fluctuates daily. Call to verify exact board foot quantities.
Because every board is unique, we do not sell directly online. Contact us to get pricing or have us pull the perfect stack for you.
Janka Rating: 1,290 lbf — Red Oak offers excellent hardness for demanding applications. This rating indicates superior durability against wear and impact, making it suitable for high-traffic areas like flooring and heavy-duty furniture.
Red Oak displays a warm, reddish-brown heartwood with a lighter sapwood that typically ranges from creamy white to light tan. The grain is usually straight but can be interlocked, creating a visually striking pattern. The wood is known for its prominent medullary rays that produce a distinctive ‘ray fleck’ figure when quarter-sawn. This natural beauty, combined with its consistent color and grain, makes Red Oak a popular choice for projects where visual appeal is paramount.
Red Oak is generally easy to work with hand and machine tools. However, due to its interlocked grain, it may experience some tear-out when planing or routing, especially at high speeds. We recommend using sharp tools and a steady feed rate to minimize this. It glues well with standard wood glues and accepts stains and finishes uniformly, though it may require a pre-conditioning step to avoid blotching. Sanding to a smooth finish is straightforward, and it responds well to most finishes including oil, lacquer, and polyurethane.
Common applications for Red Oak include furniture making, cabinetry, flooring, millwork, and interior trim. Its strength and aesthetic appeal make it ideal for both residential and commercial projects, particularly where a rich, traditional look is desired.
