Red oak is hard and heavy, with medium-bending strength and stiffness and high-crushing strength. Abundant. It is the most widely used species.

Is red oak durable?

Durability. Red oak is a hard, porous wood. On the Janka scale, which measures the hardness of wood species, it has a rating of 1290, putting it on the harder end of the spectrum. It is easier to work with, both by hand and with machines, than higher-rating species such as hickory or mahogany.

Is red or white oak stronger?

Red Oak has a Janka hardness rating of 1290, while White Oak's rating is 1360, making it slightly more impervious to dents and scratches. However, these numbers are so close that both hardwoods will tend to perform equally well once they've been installed, finished and sealed.