Hardwood · white and red oak
Oak wood
Oak wood (Quercus alba / Quercus robur) is a premium hardwood from North America and Europe, with a density of **720–770 kg/m³ and Janka hardness of 5,990 N**. It is the standard species for premium flooring, executive doors, and bespoke furniture. Stocked at 25, 32, 50, and 75 mm thicknesses in NHLA FAS grade.
What is oak wood?
Oak wood is a hardwood from the Quercus genus, in two main commercial types: American white oak (Quercus alba) with a golden-brown colour and high water resistance, and red oak (Quercus rubra) with a pinkish-red tone. Density 720–770 kg/m³, Janka hardness 5,990 N for white oak and 5,440 N for red.
White oak contains closed vascular structures (tyloses) inside its vessels, making it water- and steam-resistant — which is why it is the species for wine barrels, boat decking, and bathroom doors. Red oak vessels are open, so it absorbs water rapidly and is unsuitable for wet applications, but it is cheaper and well-suited to dry interior furniture.
Riyadh Timber imports American white oak from the **eastern US (Appalachian region)** in NHLA FAS grade, and European oak (Quercus robur) from Germany and France. Standard thicknesses are 25, 32, 50, and 75 mm, lengths 2.4–4.2 m, widths 15–30 cm.
Why is oak wood used in premium projects?
Oak is the world's most-used hardwood for three reasons: hardness (5,990 N) sufficient for flooring and doors, density (720–770 kg/m³) suited to carving and ornamentation, and durability exceeding 100 years. Premium villas in Hittin and Al Yasmin specify white-oak flooring as a long-term investment that does not require replacement.
White oak resists rot and insects thanks to natural tannin content of 8–10%. This property made it the historical choice for European palace doors and remains the first choice for executive doors in Saudi palaces. Naturally aged oak develops a deep golden patina that cannot be replicated synthetically.
Per the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), **white oak represents 35% of US hardwood exports to the Gulf**. Saudi demand concentrates on FAS grade in 25 and 50 mm thicknesses for villa and palace flooring.
What are the technical specifications of oak wood?
Oak is stocked at 25, 32, 50, and 75 mm thicknesses, lengths 2.4–4.2 m, widths 15–30 cm. Density 720–770 kg/m³, Janka hardness 5,990 N for white oak, moisture 8–12% kiln dried. Each batch is graded NHLA FAS or Select with FSC and PEFC certification.
| Product name | White oak / red oak |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Quercus alba / Quercus robur / Quercus rubra |
| Origin countries | United States, Germany, France |
| Density (kg/m³) | 720 – 770 |
| Janka hardness | 5,990 N (white) · 5,440 N (red) |
| Moisture content | 8 – 12% (kiln dried) |
| Thicknesses (mm) | 25 · 32 · 50 · 75 |
| Lengths (m) | 2.4 – 4.2 |
| Widths (cm) | 15 – 30 |
| Colour | Golden brown (white) / pinkish red (red) |
| Grade | FAS / Select / No.1 Common |
| Certifications | NHLA FAS · FSC · PEFC |
What are the applications of oak wood in construction and finishing?
Oak serves premium flooring (20 mm), executive doors (40 mm), bespoke furniture (25–38 mm), wine and spirit barrels (25 mm), exterior facades (25–30 mm), and window sills (50 mm). White oak handles wet applications; red oak handles dry interiors only.
- 01
Premium flooring (20 mm)
Villa, palace, and hotel-suite floors. White oak lasts 50+ years with 5–7 sanding cycles and refinishing every 15 years.
- 02
Executive doors (40 mm)
Main entrance doors for palaces and offices. White oak accepts hand carving and ornamentation, and tolerates seasonal humidity swings.
- 03
Bespoke furniture (25–38 mm)
Dining tables, bookcases, classical furniture. Oak's pronounced grain delivers either a rustic or modern character depending on finish.
- 04
Exterior facades (25–30 mm)
Thermo-treated white oak for timber facades on Al Muhaidib and Al Yasmin villas. It withstands Riyadh sun for 20–30 years with proper finishing.
- 05
Wine and spirit barrels (25 mm)
Storage and ageing barrels. French and American white oak is the global standard for wine and whisky thanks to tannin content and closed vascular structure.
What is the difference between oak wood and walnut wood?
Oak surpasses walnut in hardness (5,990 vs 4,490 N) and density (720–770 vs 610–660 kg/m³), but walnut is softer and better suited to premium furniture with its naturally dark tone. Oak is 30–40% cheaper; walnut is more luxurious for executive signature pieces.
Choose oak for flooring, doors, and structural use where hardness matters more than luxury. Choose walnut for executive tables and signature pieces where the dark appearance is desired and the cubic-metre price is no constraint. Premium villas in Riyadh combine both: oak floors and oak doors, with walnut furniture in formal living rooms.
| Attribute | Oak | Walnut |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Quercus alba/robur | Juglans nigra |
| Janka hardness | 5,990 N | 4,490 N |
| Density | 720–770 kg/m³ | 610–660 kg/m³ |
| Colour | Golden brown | Dark chocolate brown |
| Price | SAR 4,200–8,500/m³ | SAR 6,500–12,500/m³ |
| Best application | Flooring & doors | Signature executive furniture |
| Moisture resistance | Excellent (white) | Moderate |
How do I choose between white oak and red oak?
Choose white oak for wet applications (bathrooms, kitchens, facades, exterior doors) and high-traffic villa flooring. Choose red oak for dry interior furniture and concealed components where cost is the primary criterion. White is 10% harder and water-resistant; red is 15–20% cheaper with the same grain appearance.
For premium villa flooring, American white oak in NHLA FAS grade is the benchmark. For executive doors, choose 40 mm thickness in FAS grade with lengths above 2.2 m to avoid visible joints. For kitchens and bathrooms, oil-treated white oak is the best choice for moisture resistance.
For classical furniture and interior decoration, European white oak (Quercus robur) suits better than American thanks to its quieter grain and lighter colour. For modern and contemporary furniture, American white oak with its pronounced grain is preferred.
How is oak wood stored and installed in Riyadh?
Oak stores in a conditioned space at 20–25 °C and 45–55% RH with a 10–14 day acclimatisation period before installation. Floors are tongue-and-groove on 3 mm acoustic underlay; doors use mortise-and-tenon joinery. Finishing uses natural oils or water-based polyurethane lacquer.
Oak contains 8–10% tannin, which reacts with iron and galvanised steel to produce black stains. Therefore use **stainless-steel** or bronze fasteners on exterior doors. For interior use, plated steel is acceptable.
Oak flooring installation begins from the longest wall, with a 10–12 mm perimeter expansion gap concealed by skirting. Boards are secret-nailed at 45 degrees through the tongue. Floor finishing uses European oil or three coats of polyurethane lacquer.
Does oak wood meet NHLA and Saudi standards?
Riyadh Timber's oak carries NHLA FAS certification (83.3% defect-free face), FSC sustainability certification, and PEFC for European stock. It meets SBC 1001 indoor-air-quality requirements and ships within E1 European formaldehyde emission limits.
NHLA FAS is the gold standard for American hardwoods, meaning **83.3% of the board face is clear of defects**, with a 183 cm minimum length and 15 cm minimum width. This grade is specified for visible furniture and premium flooring. Select grade is lower (75% clear) and 15–20% cheaper.
For LEED- or Mostadam-certified projects we provide full Chain of Custody documentation from the American forest to the Riyadh site, including lot number, board number, harvest date, and mill. These documents secure 3 points under Mostadam's renewable-materials category.
Which Saudi projects use oak wood?
Oak appears in royal and princely palaces in Hittin and Al Yasmin, premium hotel-suite flooring at Al Faisaliah and Ritz-Carlton, executive office doors in Kingdom Tower, and bespoke furniture in Al Nakheel and Al Malqa villas. Oak is the most-requested hardwood in Riyadh.
- Royal palaces in Hittin, Al Yasmin, and Al Nakheel — American white-oak flooring and carved oak doors.
- Riyadh's luxury hotels (Al Faisaliah, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons) — presidential suite flooring and reception halls.
- Kingdom, Al Faisaliah, and KAFD towers — executive office doors and meeting-room flooring.
- Vision 2030 projects — Diriyah for interior timber facades in heritage rebuild structures.
- Al Nakheel, Al Malqa, and Al Yarmouk villas — bespoke furniture and 40 mm master-bedroom doors.
What are common questions about oak wood?
Minimum is **3 cubic metres** for site delivery. For projects above 20 m³ we offer 10–15% project pricing with phased delivery aligned with the installation schedule. Smaller quantities are picked up from the Industrial District yard in Riyadh.
American oak has a more pronounced grain, a slightly darker tone, and is 10–15% cheaper. **European oak has a quieter grain and lighter colour** and suits French classical furniture. Both share the same hardness (5,990 N) and moisture resistance — the choice is appearance.
In air-conditioned villas, white-oak floors last **50–75 years** with refinishing every 15 years. The 20 mm thickness withstands 5–7 sanding cycles over its life — meaning a service life that may exceed a century.
Yes, white oak suits bathrooms thanks to its **closed tyloses structure** that resists water. Treated with exterior oils for bathroom use, it lasts 15–20 years. Red oak is not suitable for bathrooms.
American white oak in FAS grade is stocked and ships within **7–10 days**. Non-standard thicknesses (75 mm) and long lengths (above 4 m) require advance orders with 4–6 week lead times from the Port of Savannah.
Yes, we supply **reclaimed oak** from European heritage buildings at SAR 12,000–18,000/m³ with 8–12 week lead time. It is used for heritage interiors and premium restaurants in Riyadh.
Yes, oak is among the best species for stain absorption thanks to its high porosity. Golden, walnut, and fumed-oak finishes deliver varied appearances. Fuming (ammonia exposure) turns oak deep chocolate without chemical stain.
What products relate to Oak wood?
Selections that complement the work in Saudi construction projects.
Need an oak wood quote for your project?
Send the cubic-metre quantities, thicknesses, and grade (FAS or Select). We respond with a formal quote within 4 working hours — unit price, total, lead time, and NHLA FAS and FSC certificates included.