White Oak

White Oak is as durable and a bit stronger than Red Oak.  It carries green tones and has a more subtle grain.  The sapwood is white to very light brown and the heartwood is light to dark brown.  Oak wood has a course texture; it is heavy, straight-grained, hard, tough, very stiff and strong.  White Oak is often “quarter-sawn” for shaker style cabinetry. “Quarter-sawn” grade is specially cut White Oak lumber where logs are quartered and sliced across the grain resulting in a tight, straight grain pattern. While maintaining the normal color range of flat cut oak, this method of cutting eliminates cathedral grain, but still allows limited amounts of mineral and pin knots. Quarter Sawn lumber also contains a distinct characteristic called medullar wood rays or “flake”. These flakes are clearly noticeable and will appear in a variety of sizes, patterns and directions that become more pronounced after finish is applied. Flakes will be present on the door panels; however, framing will consist of straight grain material that may or may not contain flakes.