OAK

Wood Species: Oak

Latin name: Quercus

Type of wood: Hardwood

Characteristics: There are more than 600 species of oak growing in the Northern hemisphere; the most common species are sourced in Europe, North America and Japan. All oak species are strong, hard, heavy and dense with very close grain and, due to their high tannin content, they are very resistant to insect and fungal infestations.

Uses: 

Oak is commonly used for furniture, joinery, flooring, panelling, decking and veneers.

Advantages:

• durable, long-lasting wood
• attractive wood grain
• less likely to warp when exposed to sunlight
• good water resistant properties
• highly resistant to wear and tear
• stains and polishes well
• ideal for liming

Disadvantages:

• high tannin content and exposure to wet and cold weather can react with oil finishes
• very heavy wood
• thin oak veneers can be difficult to protect as finishes can react with adhesive used in the veneering process