SPECIES
OAK – APPEARANCE
White oak, a prized option for hardwood countertops, butcher block islands, custom bar tops, and hardwood table tops, showcases an open, coarse grain with a light tan color, occasionally accentuated by white or creamy veins. Its
aesthetic combines elegance and rustic charm, evoking a sense of firmness and resilience. White oak seamlessly integrates with other oak elements like cabinetry or flooring, while also complementing woods such as teak, chestnut, or yellow pine, making it a versatile choice for various decor styles, particularly antique or heritage themes.
OAK – PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
In terms of physical properties, white oak is renowned for its hardness, density, and weight, exhibiting excellent wear resistance and shock absorbance despite its stiffness. Its high tannin content endows its fibers with exceptional water resistance and dimensional stability. While it can impart a taste to foods with prolonged contact, such as oak barrel-aged whiskey, this characteristic is not always undesirable.
WHITE OAK – WORKING PROPERTIES
Working with white oak requires precision, as it responds well to machine tools but can be challenging with hand tools due to its tendency to chip and splinter. Pre-drilling is essential to prevent damage, and prolonged contact with metal may result in dark staining. Additionally, white oak reacts swiftly to bleach, turning brown or tan green upon contact.
TRIVIA
An intriguing trivia about white oak lies in its exceptional preservation, as evidenced by Viking longships excavated in various locations in Norway. Dating back nine centuries or more, these ships were predominantly constructed from white oak, highlighting its durability and longevity even under extreme conditions. Moreover, white oak countertops, kitchen island tops, custom bar tops or computer desk tops are sourced from FSC certified hardwood timber, ensuring its sustainability and responsible forestry practices, adding an eco-conscious dimension to its appeal.
