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Red oak lumber is a strong and easily acquired wood material for building and furniture making. It requires careful maintenance and is not rot-proof or water-resistant. Northern red oak is harder and better for framing, while southern red oak is softer and more easily manipulated. Red oak is a slowly renewable resource, and quality lumber should be checked for warping, stains, peeling, cracking, or splintering.
Red oak lumber includes timber planks, beams, and other building materials made from solid red oak wood. When red oak is used as lumber, it is typically used for interior framing because it is not rot-proof and can stain if exposed to water over time. Treated red oak lumber can be used to make fence posts, although they will likely need to be replaced periodically even with water resistant treatments.
Trees that produce red oak lumber are very diverse and include a range of red oaks. They are widely available throughout North America, making them some of the most easily acquired trees for building purposes. Red oak is considered a strong wood that is sturdy enough for long-lasting use, although untreated wood needs to be carefully maintained to avoid damage both indoors and out. When wood is used indoors, it is important not to use water for cleaning.
Red oak lumber is also a primary wood material for furniture making because it is generally easy to work with, comes in both hard and softwood types, and is easy to stain compared to other wood varieties. It is also sometimes flexible when bent with steam to form decorative objects during the construction process.
Red oak grows in both southern and northern regions, and each area offers different benefits to the wood. Red oak lumber from the north tends to be harder and stronger, making it better for framing and building. Southern oaks are often softer but more easily manipulated and bent. Their colors are also different: Southern oaks tend to be darker and more red in color, hence the name.
Because red oak lumber is acquired from trees, it is considered a slowly renewable resource. While oaks regrow and can be replaced, hardwoods take many years to reach maturity, so milling can impact the environment more quickly than other resources, such as bamboo. There are modern cultivation methods that speed up the process of replacing trees, but this often compromises the quality of the wood. As a result, some red oaks, mainly those grown in southern regions, may be more likely to splinter or crack.
Red oak lumber can be found at most home improvement stores and purchased in various lengths and sizes. When looking for quality lumber, you should check for warping, stains, peeling, cracking or splintering. The wood must be stored in a dry place, neither too hot, nor too humid, nor too cold. To find the best option for a particular project, sales personnel should be knowledgeable about the types of cuts. There are also many books on just about any home improvement project.
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