Nord Compensati S.p.A.

Description

Coming from central European countries and from eastern U.S.A. and south eastern Canadian country, it is still now an important wood both from a structural and aesthetical point of view, especially when hardness and durability are required.
Since ever Oak is one of the most used wood in many different fields from the shipbuilding to house floorings, dock and harbour work, sea defences and railway wagons and all purposes of exposure in contact with the ground. It is highly valued for furniture and sliced for very attractive veneers for decorative panels and cabinets.

Botanical name

Quercus Sessiflora it belongs to the family of Fagaceae

Growth area

U.K., central and western Europe, Asia Minor.

Tecnical characteristic

The heartwood is light tan to biscuit coloured, generally straight grained but irregular or cross-grained material can occur depending on growth conditions.

Characteristic silver grain figure on quartered surfaces due to broad rays.

Seasoning

It dries very slowly with a tendency to split and check. There is medium movement in service.

Specific gravity

Weight varies according with growing areas from 720 kg./m3 to 670 kg./m3. S.G. 0,72 - 0,67

Durability

The heartwood is durable, extremely resistant to preservative treatment but the sapwood is permeable.

The acid nature of oak will affect metals in indirect contact and cause corrosion: non-ferrous or galvanised metals should be used.

Uses and manufacturing

For furniture and cabinetmaking, boat building, dock and harbor works, sea defences, barrels (for cognac, wine and beer), poles into the ground and water.
High-class joinery, ecclesiastical works such as pews, pulpits and carving, floors.

Oak is rotary cut for plywood manufacture and sliced for very attractive “silver grain” figured veneers for panels and cabinets.