White oak, red oak, European oak — the names on the timber rack hide real differences in colour, grain and movement. White oak is tight-grained and calm, red oak warmer and bolder, European oak honeyed with medullary ray figure.
For floors and stairs we reach for white oak; for furniture, European oak; for painted joinery, the oaks sit out entirely in favour of tulipwood. Here is how we grade, match and finish each one.
