Oak Wood Characteristics and Properties
With their towering, majestic shapes, Oak trees are symbols of strength, endurance, and beauty. So, it’s no surprise that sturdiness and a grand visual character are key Oak wood properties. Beyond being a preferred choice for kitchen and bath cabinets, Oak is a prized species for many uses. For hardwood flooring, Oak is a durable, stable, and handsome option. Wines and spirits are often aged in barrels made of Oak because it has good moisture resistance. Even the desk in the White House Oval Office is made of Oak.

Two KraftMaid cabinet doors in natural finish showing the visual differences between Oak and Quartersawn Oak species.
A CLOSER LOOK AT OAK WOODGRAIN
With KraftMaid®, you have two forms of Oak to choose from – Oak and Quartersawn Oak.
Oak is one of the most recognizable wood species because of its prominent, wavy grain pattern. The woodgrain varies from straight, thin lines to wide, sweeping “cathedral” patterns. Oak also has an open grain, meaning the irregular visual grain pattern is matched by a coarse texture – you can feel the differences in the grain as well as see them.
Quartersawn Oak is created by milling lumber at a different angle than plain-sawn Oak. This results in a tighter, straighter grain pattern compared to Oak. Plus, quartersawing often reveals naturally occurring ray flecks – also called figuring – that add distinction. (While the results are stunning, this technique also yields less wood from each log, making Quartersawn Oak more expensive than Oak.)
OAK WOOD COLOR AND FINISH OPTIONS
Our cabinets feature Red Oak, which ranges in color from pale, creamy shades to medium browns with reddish casts. The differences between colors can be distinct. It’s also possible to find a few darker mineral streaks mixed in
- With a porous, open grain, Oak takes stain very well. This feature gives Oak the versatility to complement nearly any design style.
- Stains on the darker end of the spectrum tend to even out the natural color variations in Oak. Light- and mid-tone stains with red or amber undertones (Honey Spice, Praline, Ginger, Cognac) take on an extra level of warmth from Red Oak’s natural complexion. Stains with green or grey undertones (Shortbread, Barley, Cannon Grey) produce a more understated look.
- Wicker and Cabin were formulated to give Red Oak the look of White Oak – a popular wood species for Modern, farmhouse and Scandinavian-inspired designs.
- We offer one paint option for Oak. Onyx is a pure black that works with the pronounced grain pattern to offer a rich, textural look.
IS OAK A HARDWOOD OR SOFTWOOD?
Oak is considered a North American hardwood based on the distinction of it being a deciduous, flowering tree versus a needle-bearing softwood conifer.
IS OAK WOOD DURABLE?
When most people hear the term hardwood, they think of strength and durability – the literal hardness of the wood – not the biological type of tree. Look to the Janka Hardness Rating to measure how well a wood species can stand up to dings and dents of real life.
Janka Wood Hardness Chart for Oak
Here’s how Red Oak compares to a few other common wood species you might find in and around your home. The higher the Janka rating number, the harder the wood:
SPECIES | CLASSIFICATION | JANKA HARDNESS RATING |
---|---|---|
Red Mahogany | Hardwood | 2,697 |
Teak | Hardwood | 2,330 |
Hickory | Hardwood | 1,820 |
Hard Maple | Hardwood | 1,450 |
Red Oak | Hardwood | 1,290 |
Cherry | Hardwood | 995 |
Southern Yellow Pine | Softwood | 870 |
Alder | Hardwood | 590 |
Eastern White Pine | Softwood | 380 |
Balsa | Hardwood | 70 |
Red Oak has a Janka Hardness Rating of 1,290, putting it in the middle of commonly used hardwoods. In fact, it is considered as the industry benchmark in North America for comparing the relative hardness of native species. In other words, Red Oak sets the standard for resisting scratches and dents. Plus, Oak is among the most stable woods on the market. With a little TLC, your Oak cabinets will last a lifetime.