Oak, also known as Quercus spp., is a type of wood with a scientific name of QUERCUS SPP. The heartwood of oak trees ranges in color from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, with distinct growth rings that are slightly wavy. It is widely used for decorative veneers,wine barrels and high-end furniture. Oak trees are distributed in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Many people mistakenly believe that “red oak is Red oak, and white oak is White oak,” but this is not the case. Red oak is called red oak because its leaves turn red in autumn and the color of finish wood has warm reddish tone. As for white oak, it’s because the color of finish wood is in cooler tone.
Here are 4 simple tips to distinguish red oak and white oak.
1.Observe shape of the leaves
This is the most practical and simplest method. You can distinguish between red oak and white oak by comparing the shape of the leaves.
The edges of red oak leaves are pointed, while the edges of white oak leaves are rounded. This method only applies to tree species; once they are made into boards, they cannot be distinguished.
2.Observe color of heartwood and sapwood
Color is significant difference between red oak and white oak. Red oak has a warm reddish tone, while white oak tends toward cooler tones.
To be accurate, red oak has white to light brown sapwood and pinkish brown heartwood. White oak has light-colored sapwood and light brown to dark brown heartwood.
In addition,the color changes of these two types of wood also differ as time pass by. Red oak undergoes greater color changes and may become darker, while white oak undergoes relatively minor color changes and mainly retains its original tone.
3.Observe wood cross section
Red oak has more cell pores than white oak, which makes white oak denser.
What’s more,white oak pores are filled with infill.It can enhance the moisture-proof and waterproof properties of white oak, making it more durable.
While red oak pores are empty which means its moisture-proof and waterproof performance is relatively poor. This feature makes white oak widely used in wine barrels for wine storage, while red oak cannot be used for wine barrels.
4.Wood Rays
The wood rays of red oak are more like short dotted lines,normally around 10mm, while those of white oak are longer dotted lines around 20mm. The difference between the two is quite significant.
- Pros and cons of White Oak
Pros:white oak is hard, dense, and relatively tough, providing excellent support and durability in furniture processing. Additionally, due to its high density, white oak has relatively good moisture resistance and waterproof properties, making it suitable for furniture that needs to withstand humid environment.
Cons:Since white oak takes longer to grow than red oak, so there is less raw material available on the market, making it much more expensive than red oak.
- Pros and cons of Red Oak
Pros:Red oak has beautiful, uniform grain patterns,natural and elegant. It is widely used in furniture and decoration.
Furthermore, red oak is relatively abundant in raw materials, making it more affordable.Its price is typically lower than that of white oak, making it the preferred choice for many consumers.
Cons:Compared with white oak, red oak is less hard and relatively prone to cracking and warping.
In summary, both red oak and white oak are excellent materials for solid wood furniture. They differ in terms of grain, color, pore structure, and price.
Understanding these differences can help you make more informed decisions and avoid being misled. When considering purchasing furniture, you can choose the material that best suits your needs and budget.
