Oak is a remarkable material; strong, extremely durable, heavy and attractive, which makes it the ideal wood to use in construction both indoors and outdoors.

In addition to being an important furniture and cabinetry wood, oak is used to make barrels. When cooperage must be water tight, white oak is the clear choice because pores of white oak's heartwood are waterproof. White oak also contains tannic acid, which is an essential ingredient in the production of wine and liquor. The acid adds flavour to brandy, sherry, whisky, wine, beer and other beverages as the liquid ages.

General Description

Oak sapwood is light-coloured and the heartwood is light to dark brown. Oak is mostly straight-grained with a medium to course texture.

Oak is extremely durable outdoors and doesn't need any preservative treatment. It is once again becoming popular for outdoor fencing, gates, furniture and features especially in urban areas - both because there is no painting or maintenance requirements and also because of its high resistance to vandalism (cutting, sawing and burning).

Building material - traditionally oak was the main building timber in Europe including posts or beams, boards or roof shingles. It was also the main shipbuilding timber. Oak structures can and do last for centuries and there are churches in Scandinavia whose original oak timers are over 1000 years old.