European Oak Rough-Sawn Lumber, Thickness 30 mm (5/4"), Below 2C

We offer wholesale quantities of lumber in pallets and containers.

Working with WoodWay Expert means:

• a wide selection of sawn timber from our stock program;
• material selection for projects of varying complexity;
• quality control of lumber before shipment;
• stable supply.

Oak Wood: Key Characteristics

European oak (Quercus robur) is a valuable hardwood species widespread in the temperate zones of Europe. Understanding the technical and aesthetic properties of oak allows for effective work with the material to create high-quality and practical products.

Technical Parameters of Oak Wood

• The average density of dry oak is approximately 690-750 kg/m³. On the Janka scale, the hardness is 1120 lbf, and on the Brinell scale, it is 3.7. This indicates high resistance to wear, impact, and scratches.
• Oak wood has moderate viscosity and flexibility. The species is not as pliable for bending as, for example, ash, but it can also be bent after a special steam treatment. This property allows for the creation of curved furniture and decor elements.

Visual and Aesthetic Characteristics of Oak

• The sapwood has a light yellow or almost white shade. The heartwood color varies from pale yellow to light brown. Over time, under the influence of light, oak acquires darker shades.
• Oak texture is pronounced and coarse. The wood usually has straight grains. Wavy patterns and knots may occur. A burled structure is not typical for oak.

Features of Oak Processing

Working with hardwood requires experience. The species is suitable for various types of processing: sawing, milling, and drilling. Thanks to its dense structure, the material holds fasteners, which ensures the reliability of constructions.

Oak glues without problems, but to achieve maximum joint strength, it’s recommended to use special adhesives for hardwoods. The wood readily accepts lacquers, oils, and stains. This allows craftsmen to accentuate the natural grain pattern or give the material a desired shade.

Features of Grade 3 (Rustic) Oak Lumber

Grade 3 lumber is the most affordable option, used for technical tasks or projects with a rustic aesthetic.

Key characteristics of Grade 3 lumber:

• A higher number of knots compared to higher-grade lumber. Various types of knots are allowed: healthy, intergrown, loose, and black. Size and location do not matter.
• Surface and through cracks are permitted, with a width of 1.5-2 mm and a length up to ⅓ of the board.
• Any variations in shade can be found, including dark spots.
• Wormholes, resin pockets, and mechanical damage that do not affect the structural integrity may be present.

What is Oak Lumber?

Lumber is sawn timber with the bark and wane removed from the edges. High-quality logs are selected for making lumber. The raw material is cut into boards, taking into account the grain direction, required thickness, and length. Then, the blanks are passed through machines that remove the remaining bark and form straight edges. The wood’s moisture content is brought to an optimal level of 8-12% in drying kilns. Dry joinery boards are then sorted by grade, evaluating color, grain structure, and the number and type of knots, etc.

How Does Kiln Drying of Boards Work?

Our stock program includes kiln-dried lumber. Kiln-drying wood is a high-tech and controlled process. Unlike natural drying, this method is significantly faster and guarantees a stable and uniformly dried material with an optimal joinery moisture content of 8-12%.

The main stages of drying wood in special kilns:

1. Loading the lumber. The boards are stacked in special drying kilns. Gaps are left between the rows for free air circulation.
2. Preparation (steaming). At the initial stage, the wood may be treated with steam. This procedure is mainly applied to hardwoods like oak or beech. Steam treatment opens the pores and equalizes moisture, reducing the risk of cracks and internal stresses.
3. Main drying. The kilns are equipped with a heating and ventilation system. The temperature and humidity of the air inside the kiln are controlled by a computer and change according to a set program depending on the wood species, board thickness, and initial moisture level.
4. Monitoring. Moisture meters and sensors constantly monitor the condition of the wood. Drying continues until the material reaches the optimal working moisture content of 8–12%.
5. Final conditioning and cooling. To relieve internal stresses, the dried lumber is treated with steam. The boards are then gradually cooled to a temperature close to the ambient environment (approximately 35–45 °C) to avoid condensation.

Kiln-dried lumber is optimally suited for manufacturing furniture, doors, and other interior elements. Wood with joinery moisture content is stable, strong, and ready for further processing.

Advantages of Oak Lumber

1. Versatility of use. The material is suitable for both serial furniture production and individual artisan projects.
2. Stability. Thanks to kiln drying, you get uniformly dried and stable solid boards, ready for further mechanical processing.
3. Reduced waste and economic benefit. High-quality initial processing of the lumber reduces waste and increases the utilization rate of raw materials. This means you only pay for the useful volume of the material, which is especially important in mass production.
4. Optimization of production processes. Sawn timber with pre-processed edges reduces cutting time and optimizes production processes. Lumber is easy to plane, mill, sand, stain, lacquer, and paint.
5. Convenient logistics and storage. Thanks to the regular shape, the boards are easy to stack, which saves warehouse space, simplifies transportation, and reduces logistics costs.

Uses of Oak Lumber

Lumber is one of the most popular sawn timber products in the woodworking industry. Below are the areas where this natural material is actively used.

Furniture Manufacturing

Lumber is used in the production of cabinets, dressers, and tables, as well as tables, chairs, beds, ottomans, and benches. Wooden furniture can be stained to logically fit into various design projects.

Construction and Finishing

Sawn timber is used as a structural and finishing material. Boards are used to create decking, flooring (parquet, parquet boards, and tongue and groove), wall panels, non-load-bearing walls, and internal stairs.

Door and Window Production

Due to its stability and ease of processing, lumber is used in the manufacturing of interior doors, window frames, casings, and window sills.

Artisan and Designer Projects

For workshops working with unique products, lumber offers a wide range of possibilities. Woodworkers custom-make exclusive furniture, interior panels, interior partitions and screens, and various interior decor.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

What species of lumber are available for order?

You can order boards from over 10 species. Hardwoods: European oak, red oak, ash, alder, European walnut, acacia, beech, hornbeam, elm (elm), maple, cherry. Softwoods: pine, spruce.

What is the minimum order?

The minimum order volume for boards is 1 container.

What are the delivery times for an order?

The delivery times for lumber depend on the volume of the shipment and the destination. Estimated times are 4-8 weeks.

How are the boards packaged for transportation?

The lumber is hermetically sealed in film for safe transportation by sea.

What is lumber, and how does it differ from unedged boards?

Lumber has the bark and wane removed from its edges. Unedged boards, in turn, retain their natural edge.

What moisture content is considered optimal for joinery boards?

For joinery work, including furniture production, the moisture content of the boards should be between 8–12%.

What sizes of lumber are available in stock?

We have sawn timber with the following parameters in stock:

• thickness: 30 mm, 50 mm / 1.18″, 1.97″;
• width: from 20 cm / from 7.87″;
• length: 2.2–4.5 m / 86.61″-177.2″.

How should lumber be stored properly?

Lumber should be stored in a dry, ventilated room with a stable temperature and humidity level.

Can lumber be used for outdoor applications?

Yes, hardwoods are used for outdoor applications. The wood must be treated with antiseptics and special protective coatings.

What are the grades of lumber?

Lumber is classified into three main grades:

• Grade 1. Practically knot-free, with a uniform texture and color.
• Grade 2. Allows knots up to 5 mm in diameter, minor surface cracks, and color variations.
• Grade 3. A large number of knots, surface and through cracks, and uneven coloring.

What is kiln drying and why is it important?

Kiln-drying wood is a controlled process during which the material is dried to an optimal moisture content (8-12%) in special kilns. This drying method ensures the stability and longevity of the board.