European Oak Used in Hardwood Flooring This species of oak is often more evenly colored than domestic oaks making it an ideal choice for flooring installations that require a more uniform look. European oak is also the most popular species of oak to be fumed due to its relatively high tannin content.

Is European oak better?

Strength and movement of boards: Due to this strength and durability, it makes European oak a superior choice for flooring, that’s well suited for areas where there is likely to be more moisture, e.g. bathrooms and kitchens.

What does European oak look like?

European Oak is more uniform gray in color, whereas White Oak tends to have more yellow and pink undertones. European Oak tends to have tighter grain than White Oak. European Oak tends to be more knotty than White Oak.

Is European oak a hardwood?

European oak is a temperate hardwood, native to much of Europe. It is in fact the exact same species as so-called English oak.

Is European oak harder than American oak?

Wood Strength European oak is typically hard, strong, and heavy wood but American white oak has better overall strength and bending properties relative to weight.

Is European oak durable?

The natural durability of the European oak wood is reported as durable according to the EN 350-2. This classification, which corresponds to the hazard class 4, does not permit its direct outdoor use or any contact with the ground without any protection.

Where does European oak come from?

European Oak (Quercus petraea) trees grow across Europe though France, Germany Croatia, Poland and many more countries and is one of the dominant species on the planet. Through travel and distribution European Oaks have been growing in Asia Minor and Northern Africa.

Is European oak the same as French oak?

And while the two wood types are similar, they are not the same. Think of it as an umbrella. European Oak is the umbrella canopy, and French Oak is one of the metal ribs that extends from it. French Oak is European Oak, but it is a more specific type.

What's the difference between American and European oak?

Colour tone – Although both oaks are similar in tone, European Oak generally tends to be a little darker than American Oak. European Oak is a warm golden, honey colour whereas American Oak is subtly lighter with pinkish tones. … American Oak tends to have a straighter, subtle grain pattern.

What is European oak good for?

European Oak is suitable for interior work and is often used for furniture, flooring and work tops. The timber can be worked well and polished to grant a great finish to your product.

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Do oak floors scratch easily?

Hardwoods such as oak, maple or birch are denser, so they resist scratches better than softwoods. These woods are ideal in high-traffic areas, such as your kitchen or living room, where furniture is often slid across or dropped on the floor.

Where is European oak found?

European Oak, or French Oak, is grown across the whole country, but we predominantly source timber from the Burgundy and Dole regions.

Is English oak better than European oak?

A third of Vastern Timber’s business is in supplying oak beams, and the company has a particular passion for English oak (Quercus robur) which is considered to be the strongest of the oaks because it has a more interlocking grain than oak from continental Europe, which is characteristically more mild and straight …

What does European white oak flooring look like?

A perfect example is European style White Oak flooring, which features a tighter grain pattern, smaller growth rings and a more uniform color than American White Oak. … Instead of cutting in a grid pattern to yield the most wood, logs are sawn by cutting straight through the log in a parallel pattern.

What is European white oak flooring?

ABOUT EURO WHITE OAK features wide plank flooring, wall cladding, and millwork/stairs that is prefinished and available in engineered construction. The engineered material comes standard at 5/8” thick with a substantial 4 mm wear layer, or 3/4” thick with a full 6 mm wear layer for a truly superior product.

What's the difference between French oak and White Oak?

French Oak: Quercus Petraea and Quercus Robur are the two types of white oak grown in France. … French oak (particularly Quercus Petraea) is much tighter grained and less dense than the American Quercus Alba. As such French oak imparts more subtle flavors and firmer, but silkier tannins.

What is the hardness of European oak?

This species of oak measures approximately 1360 on the Janka hardness rating which shows a wood’s relative hardness when compared to other types of wood. European White Oak generally has a tighter grain, smaller growth rings, and more uniform color than American White Oak (Quercus alba).

What is the difference between American oak and Tasmanian oak?

American Oak also takes stain/colour really well, and this brings out the striking grain. … The colour of Tasmanian Oak tends to be pale straw to light brown in colour and can often have a pinkish tinge. Over time this colour will deepen and we have found that the pink tones tend to turn attractive rich brown colour.

Is Oak native to Germany?

The red oak (Quercus rubra), also known as the northern red oak, is a tree species native to eastern North America. It was first brought to Europe more than 400 years ago, and has been grown with varying degrees of success in Germany ever since.

Is white oak and American oak the same?

American Oak (also known as American White Oak) is a native hardwood of North America. It has a coarse, open grain texture and a distinctive figured grain pattern common only to genuine Oak species.

What is the difference between French oak and English oak?

The main difference between the two can be seen within the lines of the timber. Eastern European oak usually has black veins running parallel to the grain. French oak has very distinctive wavy patterns in the grain. French oak also fumes well, developing a dark walnut-brown colour.

Does oak need to be treated?

Essentially, oak beams are maintenance-free and it is not necessary to treat them. Over a very long period of time natural tannins in the timber react with the surrounding air and it changes gradually from a light honey colour to a more silvered hue.

How long does oak last?

Oak is a durable, class 2 timber, which has an outdoor life expectancy of 15-25 years without harmful chemical treatments that eventually leech into the environment. This life expectancy can be increased or decreased depending upon the exact conditions.

What is the most durable timber?

The Janka hardness rating for Brazilian Walnut is a whopping 3680, making it the hardest and most dense of all the woods we’ve discussed. The colors in this ultra-hard timber range from light blonde to deep brown.

Is American oak cheaper than European?

American White Oak tends to be more widely available due to the fact that it is the cheaper alternative. … European Oak is darker with a naturally rich golden-brown colour and a varying wavy grain.

What is the difference between red oak and White Oak?

The most significant difference between Red Oak and White Oak flooring is in their color. Surprisingly, White Oak tends to be a bit darker and has more beige and brownish hues, while Red Oak color has more salmon and pink undertones. When it comes to staining Red Oak vs. White Oak, both kinds of wood take stain easily.

What type of wood is Tasmanian oak?

Breadcrumb. Tasmanian oak is a premium Australian hardwood timber encompassing three species that grow in the mountainous areas of Tasmania. It is a versatile timber perfect for both construction and interior applications, including flooring, panelling, architraves and skirting boards.

What does French oak flooring look like?

French Oak is usually characterised by light brown to dark brown colors and a specific yellowish amber shade. That makes it so warm and comfy for interiors. Overall, it is considered to be more durable than the American type.

Is French oak expensive?

Your French oak wood flooring is highly cost effective too. Long term, it will prove far less expensive than replacing carpets regularly or repairing lesser quality flooring. From forest to floor, your French oak has been produced to create a flawless and aesthetically pleasing finish.

What is French oak floor?

French oak flooring is oak originating from France. This very sought after wood flooring type is popular mostly because of the desirability which it owes to its reputation. … They usually reach heights exceeding 20 meters and the oak tree has long been used as a sign of strength and power.

What does American white oak look like?

Although generally resembling European oak, American white oak is more variable in colour, ranging from pale yellow-brown to pale reddish-brown, often with a pinkish tint.