The Wood Library
Janka hardness ~1,350 lbf Density ~700 kg/m³ Stability Moderate Workability Good
Hardwoods
Oak
Quercus
The benchmark hardwood — strong, hard-wearing and instantly recognisable by its bold open grain. Oak has built furniture, floors and ships for a thousand years for one reason: it lasts.
The facts
Best uses
- Dining tables & chairs
- Flooring
- Cabinets & joinery
- Staircases
Watch out for
Its high tannin content reacts with iron and water to leave black stains — keep steel away from damp oak, and use the right fixings.
Engineer's notes
If a client is unsure, I often start them on oak. It forgives daily life, it ages with dignity, and white oak in particular handles Jordan's humidity swings better than most. The open grain is part of its character — fill it for a glassy finish, or leave it for an honest, tactile surface.
Want a piece made in this wood?
Talk to the workshop
