What makes oak such a popular building material? Oak is commonly used in constructing furniture, decks, paneling, and flooring due to its durability and appealing grain pattern. But when it comes to oak’s benefits, appearance and endurance just scratch the surface.
Over 500 species of oak have been identified, which means oak offers lots of variety for those looking to use it in their projects or structures. A common characteristic of almost any oak wood is its close grain and naturally high tannin content, which makes it a particularly strong and heavy construction material.
The Appeal of Oak
In general, oak wood boasts stability, durability, flexibility, and easy maintenance. Oaks are slow-growing trees, so they have a denser cellular makeup. Oak wood’s strength makes it a highly sought-after structural material for a variety of projects, from fences and frames to beams and barrels. Oak hardwoods have been known to last for decades or more even with high wear, and its density also makes it a good insulator.
Oak Color Varieties
Those who use oak for their projects typically opt for a matching stain that accentuates its distinct grain pattern, as opposed to an opaque paint or black finish which would conceal the natural grain.
Natural oak color ranges significantly, which is one reason it’s considered so versatile. Despite this wide range, oak wood is generally classified under one of two main categories:
White Oak
White oak color varieties tend to:
- Stray lighter or appear more neutral in tone.
- Be better suited for lighter white and gray stains.
- Include species such as chestnut oak, post oak, and burr oak
Red Oak
Red oak color varieties tend to:
- Stray toward darker and warmer hues.
- Be slightly less expensive due to a faster growth rate.
- Include species such as southern red oak, scarlet oak, and willow oak.
Oak Stain Color and Finishing Considerations
Every cut of wood, even from the same species, is different. How you finish it will depend on what the project is being used for. Generally speaking, however, the following tips can help you perfect an oak finish:
Skip the Conditioner
Because oak is considered a very dense wood, conditioner is often unnecessary before applying any sort of finish. It’s more practical to use wood conditioner on softer wood varieties that are more porous, such as pine or birch.
Sand Beforehand
Oak is considered both a hardwood and an “open-grain wood,” meaning it has deep, visible pores. To make sure the finish is distributed and absorbed evenly, an oak surface must first be sanded with 120-180 grit sandpaper (depending on the desired result). To bring out its distinct grain pattern, sand in the direction of the grain for best results.
Remember: Stain Darkens Grain
If opting for stain as a finishing solution, keep in mind that these solutions tend to accentuate the grain pattern by effectively saturating and darkening it. Many makers use stain to color oak wood so that its unique surface pattern appears more pronounced. For best results, apply the stain using a circular motion to penetrate deeper and successfully work the pigment deep into the wood’s pores.
Use Water-Based Stain for Low Odor
This recommendation is important if you’re applying indoors, in a confined space, or without a respirator mask. Oil-based stains usually have a strong odor associated with the chemicals in the solution. If this is a concern due to a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) or other safety limitations, you’re better off opting for water-based stains, which are significantly less pungent.
Finding the Perfect Oak Color Finish
Regardless of if you opt for red or white oak, you want to complement the wood’s strength and distinctive appearance with the right finishing touch. Oak wood projects will likely last a long time, so you want your finish to last too. That’s why finding the perfect oak stain color or finishing solution is so important to us—your hard work deserves long-lasting protection that brings out every ounce of its beauty.
Whether you need a specialty finishing solution or just some help with color matching, you can reach out to FinishWorks for help finding the ideal finish for all your commercial coating needs.
