During one rainy morning, while hanging out with a friend of mine in balcony we were discussing about the popularity of the oaks as the prime material to manufacture furniture. While discussing we came to a similar opinion that there is hardly any other timber in the world, which is more illustrious than the oak.

Introduction

During one rainy morning, while hanging out with a friend of mine in balcony we were discussing about the popularity of the oaks as the prime material to manufacture furniture. While discussing we came to a similar opinion that there is hardly any other timber in the world, which is more illustrious than the oak. Because of the fabulous grain it has and its heavy dense structure, oak furniture is popular since the old days. Even the durability and the toughness of oak are very well known and well prized.

Words of a botanist about oak

During our hang-out, suddenly my wife, who is a professor of botany came with large mugs of coffee and joined our discussion. As she told us, oak is from the genus called Quercus. Oaks are hailed from the northern hemisphere primarily. While we can find more than 400 different species of oaks, we divide oak in two prime categories. They are read oak and white oak. Red oaks are major used in flooring. They are darker than the white oak in color and have a coarse grain. On the other hand, white oaks are used to make solid oak furniture and cabinets. White oaks are much stronger and it has a nice color, less porosity and finer grains as well.

Why oak is good for making furniture

My wife continues and we were listening to her words very carefully as the discussion was becoming interesting. As she told us, the grains of the white oaks have gorgeous silver flecks and they are long too. Actually this a result of medullar rays in growing oak. One can see the rays clearly when it is quarter sawn. You will be amazed to listen that these quarter sawn oaks were used in the House of Commons in Britain. In fact, these oaks are the most prized ones since the ancient times. Interestingly, there are many different grain patterns in oak, such as watery figure, leafy grains, pin stripes, fine lines, and flake figures etc.

Popularity of Oak in wine industry

Oak is very popular among the wine manufacturers as it contains tannin in a large scale. As tannin tastes bitter, it is helpful for producing the red wine. So wine manufacturers store wine in the oak caskets. Now it should be noted that different breeds of oak are used to make caskets to store wines for different types of liquors. But primarily manufacturers choose between American oak and the French oak to make caskets. In fact Tannin is the reason because of which oak remains safe from the infestation of mould and parasites.

The Last words

Oaks mature after a very long time. Some oaks may even take over 100 years to mature. Oaks are very popular for the hand carving because of its dense wood. As the oaks become older, it becomes heavier, bulky, durable and dense. So, old oaks are considered as the best to make quality oak furniture.

Friends, it is 2 of the night. So I need to leave now. I hope you have enjoyed reading this article. Thanks in advance. Good night.

Resources:

chocolate frogcompany is the author of this article on solid oak furniture.

chocolate frogcompany is the author of this article on modern oak furniture.


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