Why is it that white oak lumber, or flooring, seems to generally be priced a small amount lower than red oak? Is it a demand thing–where the big users who determine the price prefer red, or is it a supply thing with sufficiently more white oak available?
White oak is the superior of the two for outdoor use because of the closed pores, but where does red oak excel, or white oak fall down?
Replies
That's weird; I thought red oak was usually cheaper than white oak.
This may be a regional thing. I've seen people on these online woodworking forums posting insanely low prices for wood that they get at their local lumber dealers; when I see that they're located on the east coast, near where that lumber is produced, it makes sense that they pay a fraction of what I pay since I live in Arizona. I can usually buy imported hardwood cheaper than anything grown in America, such as Purpleheart for $3.50/bf. Red oak is usually $5-6.
In my area, red oak is cheaper than white.1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
Ricks 503,
Here at Johnson logging I buy whiite oak for 80 cents a bd. ft. unless I get a whole bunch when it's somewhat cheaper I can stand at the end of the sawmill and select pieces.
Red oak was around $1.40 a bd.ft. but has recently dropped to near white oak prices. Other than the slight differance in color who in their right mind would select red over white?
IMHO....reds fine for floors or moldings etc, but garbage for furniture. Too much grain, too over used...
In my area, where both are very plentiful, white oak is higher priced than red oak.
Jeff
Right now, white oak is cheaper than red oak here in middle TN unless you specify quartersawn stock. If you pick your own out of the stack, however, you can usually find a significant amount of quartersawn (or near quartersawn) lumber that got by the graders.
This varys; a few years ago red oak was cheaper than white by about 30% at the dealer I buy my wood from.
Steve, it tends to vary depending where you are, the time of the year and whether Jupiter is in conjunction with Mars.
Ten years ago, white oak was always the more expensive and by 10-25%. The white oak flooring I put in my new house in coastal Carolina was about 5% more than red oak. That was two and half years ago. I don't know what it is today.
Steve: Just picked up at McBeath some white oak, plane sawn for $7.18 for the 8/4 and $3.79 for the 4/4. Wasen't looking for red oak so didn't notice the price. Duke
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Thanks guys that's what I was looking for. Looks like wanderings of the market, not anything systemic.
white oak costs more in Dallas.
Mike
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
mudman,
I know Johnson logging sends truck loads down all of the time.. (even with frieght costs 80 cents a bd.ft. is cheap)
Red oak is more plentiful that's why it is usually cheaper than white oak.
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