Oak wood properties
Contents |
Introduction
Considered to be the traditional carving wood, oak is characterised by its strength and sturdiness, with a very defined grain. Consisting of dozens of species of varied colours, white and red oak are typically more common in carving. An extremely popular choice of wood for carving, English Oak is durable and strong, but hard to work with.
Recommended for carvers with a bit of experience, it’s ideal for larger pieces because of its coarse grain. Fine work tends to result in the wood breaking away at the edges, which ruins the design. Suitable for outdoor pieces, it requires adequate treatment to prevent cracking and warping.
White oak
White oak, also known by its scientific name Quercus alba, is a strong and rot resistant wood commonly used because of its cost effectiveness. Very durable and resistant to the environment, it allows for great results when carving, either by hand or with tools. However, its high shrinkage value doesn’t allow for dimensional stability, and in contact with iron, especially if wet, it can become discoloured and stained.
White oak’s heartwood has a light to medium brown colour, and an almost white sapwood that isn’t always well-defined against the heartwood. Its grain is straight and coarse, with an uneven texture. The endgrain is ring-porous and it consists of around two to four rows of large earlywood pores and small latewood pores in a radial arrangement.
Red oak
Also known as Quercus rubra, red oak has a light to medium brown with a reddish tint heartwood, and an almost white to light brown sapwood. The colours alone however, aren’t enough to distinguish red oak from white oak. Red oak has a straight, coarse, and uneven grain with large pores but, unlike white oak, red oak is less resistant to rot and to insects and has a tendency to stain when in contact with water.
Both hand and tool carving techniques are suited ot red oak, although similar to white oak, it has high shrinkage values that mean it may not maintain its dimensional stability. Popular uses include in furniture and flooring due to the wood’s strength and durability.
Oak carving tips
This popular hardwood can be difficult to work with due to how sensitive the grains are to the direction designs are carved in. The hardness can also prove to be challenging for beginners, who should avoid oak wood until more practice and expertise is developed to allow for better control of tools and machinery.
A simple design will allow for better accuracy when carving, as details may be lost due to how difficult oak wood is to carve. Practicing on a spare piece of oak will allow a better assessment of how long the project will take and the level of proficiency required.
Carbon paper is typically used when carving to transfer a design onto the wood, as it eases the initial process and design.
As oak is a hardwood, sharp and efficient tools are required for proper carving.
--G&S Specialist Timber 16:07, 23 Jan 2017 (BST)
Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 11 things you didn't know about wood.
- Ancient Woodland.
- Bamboo flooring.
- Chip carving.
- Confederation of Timber Industries.
- Cross-laminated timber.
- Definition of tree for planning purposes.
- Engineered bamboo.
- European Union Timber Regulation.
- Forest Stewardship Council.
- Oak-Framed Buildings.
- Panelling.
- Pine wood.
- Plywood.
- Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.
- Properties of mahogany.
- Sapele wood.
- Timber.
- Timber preservation.
- Timber v wood.
- Tree preservation order.
- Tree rights.
- Types of timber.
- Walnut.
- Wood ash.
- History and Techniques of Woodturning
- Physical Properties of Wood
- The Properties of Pine Wood
- Wainscoting.
Featured articles and news
A sun, tide, mass or scratch dial.
A brief description of time in the sun.
ICE Trustee Board update June 2022
Given by ICE President Ed McCann.
Artificial intelligence and project management
Two new research reports published by APM.
Association for Project Management membership offer
50% off APM Associate membership for Designing Buildings users.
Building safety, a shifting landscape for professionals
A commentary from the insurance perspective.
In brief with further links.
Walter Segal: self-built architect
A definitive book on a pioneer of green architecture.
Funding for heritage on the high street
Using heritage as a catalyst for reviving historic centres.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting update.
Declaration prioritising sustainable urbanisation adopted.
A small hidden, often distant but key building component.
Some brief words about the actuator.
CIAT Chief Executive steps down.
After 34 years at the Institute.
Volunteer opportunity launched by the ICE
To support the next generation of engineers.
Provisional findings show illegal cartels in the industry.
CIAT reporting from the Competition and Markets Authority.
Making sustainable construction number one priority.
The future of construction report.
Interview with ECA CEO.
Many provisions came into force on June 28, 2022.
With room to expand.
An information packed session at the BSRIA conference.
Refurbishment, Energy Efficiency, Indoor air and process.
Create a profile, write informed product articles and share.
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) is one example.
We are indeed now 10 years old, so go on and be bold !
Write about something you know, help us build and grow !