American White Oak resembles European Oak, being a mixture of species. However, it is more variable in colour, pale yellowish-brown to mid-brown, sometimes with a pinkish tint. It varies also in quality according to locality; thus Oak from Canada and the Northern USA is generally harder and heavier than that from the Southern States. The characteristic silver grain figure, due to the broad rays, is shown to advantage at the quarter-cut material. The grain is generally straight and the texture varies from coarse to medium coarse.
Botanical Name
Quercus alba
Other Names
Quercia Bianca Americana, Northern White Oak, Southern White Oak
Origin
North America
Interior
Physical and Mechanical Properties
Hard and heavy wood with medium bending and crushing strength, low in stiffness, but very good steaming bending.
Working Properties
White Oak machines well, nails and screws well, although pre-drilling is advised. Acid reacts with iron, galvanized or copper nails are recommended. Its adhesive properties are variable, but it stains and polishes well. The wood dries slowly and care is needed to avoid checking. Due to its shrinkage, it can be susceptible to movement in performance under variable moisture conditions.
Working Qualities
White oak lumber machines well, with good performance in nailing and screwing, although pre-boring is recommended. It glues well (although the inclusion of primers is recommended for structural gluing) and can be stained and polished to a very good finish. The wood has to be dried slowly and carefully to avoid degradation and it has high differential radial and tangential shrinkage so can be susceptible to movement in performance in humid conditions. It has excellent drilling and finishing properties. The heartwood is resistant to decay and resistant to preservative treatment.
Uses
This sustainably managed wood from natural forests of North America, with excellent environmental credentials, is a key species in many export markets. Its main uses are in furniture, flooring, doors, architectural joinery and mouldings and kitchen cabinets. It is also used in certain applications for construction, including structural glue-laminated beams, and other specialist applications.
Janka Hardness 6.0 kN
Modulus of Rupture 105 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity 12 GPa
Max Crush Strength 51 MPa
Strength Group unseasoned S6
Strength Group Seasoned SD6
Timspec was established in 1990 as a wholesaler of specialty timber and was wholly New Zealand owned. In March 2019 Timspec was acquired by ITI Australia and became ITI Timspec LTD.
Today we import, export, and wholesale a huge range of timber to builders, joiners, home owners, floor layers, landscape builders and furniture manufacturers. We pride ourselves on being environmentally responsible and strive to source the most sustainable timber options available. Timber stocked includes species from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, South East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand's exotic as well as indigenous species.
The ITI Timspec team are extremely knowledgeable about the various types of timber, treatments and uses available and are happy to help you in choosing the right product for your project.