The Wood Moisture Legacies of Oak

Few can deny the treasure of having oak flooring, cabinetry, or furniture. It has a rich color, its grain is well-defined, and its strength is something to be reckoned with.

There are many oak species, but red and white oak are the most commonly used in American woodworking projects. In this article, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at them.

However, that’s not all. If you hope to use oak in your projects and have them come out successfully, you’ll need to know about one other important thing: moisture content.

So, let’s take a look at:

• The types of oak
• Oak moisture content

Types of Oak

As we’ve already noted, North America has many species of oak, including:

• Chestnut oak
• Laurel oak
• Southern live oak
• Red oak
• Black oak
• Pin oak
• White oak
• Bur oak

However, red and white oak are the most common types you’ll use in woodworking.

Red Oak

Red oak wood can vary from a light gold to a reddish brown. It’s open-grained and porous with very prominent grain patterns. It’s commonly listed at about 1,290 on the Janka hardness scale, which is about the middle of the road for flooring species.

Because red oak’s pores are large and open, moisture can easily penetrate it, and its heartwood has little natural resistance to decay. That makes it a poor choice for outdoor furniture or other outdoor uses.

Instead, it’s best to save red oak for indoor projects, like:

• Furniture
• Cabinets
• Flooring

This is why you’re more likely to find red oak at home centers.

Red oak’s open pores also take stain readily, which makes it easy to finish in a wide range of colors.

Red oak is more commonly available than other types of oak, making it a less expensive variety. That’s part of why it’s so widely used in cabinets, furniture, and flooring.

White Oak

White oak wood has a warm, light-to-golden brown color. It’s often somewhat more expensive than red oak.

White oak is commonly listed at about 1,360 on the Janka scale, slightly harder than red oak, so it resists dents and scratches a little better.

It’s also preferred for outdoor projects. White oak’s pores are largely plugged, which keeps water from passing through the wood easily, and its heartwood is rated very durable against decay. That’s why it has long been used for boats and barrels.

White oak also takes stain and finishes well, and woodworkers often finish it to highlight its grain and color, which can range from light brown to darker brown with yellow tones.
Now that we’ve done an overview of red and white oak, let’s figure out how to work with the moisture content of oak.

Oak Moisture Content

Moisture content in oak, just like in any other wood, is something to keep track of when you’re working with it.

Oak especially demands patience and finesse.

If it’s over-dried, it can be more brittle and chip during machining. Yet if it’s too wet, it can crack, split, warp, or twist after you use it in your project.

In fact, if you’re making something out of oak for indoor use, say a table or lamp stand, you’ll typically want a moisture content between 6% and 8%. And oak used for wood flooring should be dried to around 6% to 9%.

At the same time, oak needs to reach what’s called the equilibrium moisture content, or EMC for short. The EMC is the point at which wood neither gains nor loses moisture.

Wood responds to the relative humidity (RH) and temperature in its environment. So if your wood is wetter than the EMC for that RH and temperature, it will release moisture to the air. If it’s drier, it will absorb moisture from the air. Wood will continue to gain or lose moisture as needed until it reaches the EMC.

That’s also why it’s important to let the wood sit for a while in the environment it will ultimately end up in (like a house or shop). That way, it will have a chance to reach the EMC there.

The way to know if you’ve reached the EMC is by using a wood moisture meter.

Using a moisture meter

Moisture meters allow you to test the moisture content of your wood during every stage of the production process. Measure the wood before and after the kiln-drying process and during the manufacturing or woodworking process to ensure the wood has reached the EMC and stays there.

There are two main types of moisture meters: pin-type meters and pinless meters. Pin meters use two little pins or prongs that stick into the wood to get a reading. Pinless meters use a sensor pad to scan the wood.

Both work, but pinless are the way to go because they take less time and don’t damage your wood, making moisture measurement easy and fast.

It’s extremely important not only to have and use a moisture meter but also to have one that’s good quality. A poor-quality meter could give a false reading, leaving you with an inaccurate assessment of the moisture content. And that could cause your flooring to fail, the woodworking project to crack, and more woodworking disasters. Which can cause your reputation as a woodworker or flooring installer to suffer.

Wagner Meters makes digital pinless wood moisture meters to help you assess the moisture content of your oak projects.

Our line of meters is cost-effective and accurate, while also offering some important features. One of those is a species setting, which accounts for differences in density and chemical makeup. Before measuring, input the species number for the type of oak you’re working with, and you’re set to go.

Then, all you have to do is scan it across the board to get multiple readings in seconds.

A Quality Moisture Meter Means a Quality Oak Project

Oak is a majestic choice when it comes to woodworking and flooring installation. It’s durable, relatively inexpensive, and beautiful. With a quality moisture meter, you can ensure your oak project remains that way.

Shop Orion Moisture Meters

Last updated on October 8th, 2026