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White Oak Lumber Profile
 
Many individual species of Oak fall into the White Oak category.  They are native to eastern United States and found chiefly in the South, South Atlantic and Central eastern states.  They thrive in moist areas with well drained acidic soil.  One of the ways the different species can be identified is by the size and shape of their acorns and the way the acorn caps are worn.  White Oak trees are very long-lived as they can survive 300 or more years under the right conditions.  Their long life span is attributed to them having very little trouble with pests or diseases. 
 
The wood of White Oak has many outstanding properties for outdoor furniture.  The heartwood is naturally resistant to UV, insect and moisture deterioration.  The wood pores are plugged with tyloses (cells in the pores of the wood grain) that tend to make the wood impenetrable by liquids.  This is the big reason White Oak is used for making whiskey and wine barrels.  It is very hard, dense, heavy and highly shock resistant.  The light tan to light brown color is very consistent and the grain is very striking in appearance.  You can let the weather age it to a silver gray or you can get a beautiful finish with an outdoor stain or spar (marine) varnish.  The White Oak we use comes from Kentucky.  It is S4S that has beautiful light brown color and is free of knots.  
 
Why White Oak ?
White Oak is highly resistant to the environment.  It is tough and does not easily scratch or dent, but is somewhat heavy.  The grain is very distinctive and consistent.  It is an ideal wood for making durable Adirondack chairs, but also a wood for making strikingly beautiful chairs as well.  White Oak accepts stains and paint beautifully or you can let it age naturally.  Moderately priced now, but inexpensive in the long run.
 
Other Wood Profiles:
Performance of White Oak
 
  Wood Classification------------------Hardwood
  Outdoor durability (without paint)----High
  Screw /nail holding capacity----Moderate to high
  Resistance to indentation--------------High
  Heaviness(dry weight)----------------Heavy
  Board strength(bending)--------------High
  Paint holding capacity-----------------Good
  Freedom from shrinkage------------Moderate
  Freedom from warping--------------Moderate
  Freedom from resin--------------------High
  Color when new-----------------Light tan to brown
  Color weathered------------------------Gray
  Price-----------------------------Moderate to high
 
 

Wood Sample Kits
 
Since we have so many different woods for our Adirondack chairs we thought it would be a good idea to make it possible for people to actually see them before making a purchasing decision. 
 
Kit includes:
Redwood, Mahogany
Poplar, White Oak
Ipe, Red Western Cedar
Cypress
 
Price $14.95....Order
(Includes Shipping)
 

White Oak Lumber