Difference of European and Russian Oak Floors

If you buy Oak Plank from China, some supplier will offer you European Oak and some will offer you Russian Oak. what’s the difference between them?  To be frankly, this is a very professional question, and not easy to describe by several single words.

If you are in the wood production front line everyday, you will learn very quick what is russian oak and what is european oak, the grain feature of the raw material has some difference. but roughly we can get summary as below:

 European Oak vs. Russian Oak

 Take-away

 1.    Grade Variation

Russian Oak in AB grade or ABC grade (clear surface, less knots, and less color variation)

European Oak in ABCD grade or CDE (with defects, e.g. knots, cracks)

2.Tannin Acid Volume

If you want “natural color” or stained color, we would recommend Russian Oak.(Less Tannin Acid volume)

If you want “chemical treated” color, we would recommend European Oak.(Rich Tannin Acid volume)

3.Different Specification

Regular length and width for Russian Oak floor: 1860x148mm / 1900x190mm

Nomarl length and width for European Oak flooring: 1900x190mm / 2200x220mm / 2200x260mm / 2200x300mm 

European Oak

1.With more color variation.

2.Chaotic grains distribution (sometimes)

3.Large knots in star-like shape. Better work for rustic look.

4.European Oak veneers are normally made by “Band saw”, and lamellas are dried after cut.

 

Even AB European Oak do not have big knots, the color variation still obvious, and almost not able to select uniform pcs. 

Russian Oak

1.    Cleaner and clearer color and grain.

2.    Sapwood for lower grade and obvious color differences

3.    Easier to get higher grade without knots.

4.    Russian Oak normally comes from “Frame saw” on the Kiln dried timber material.

Specification: 

The diameter of Russian Oak Tree is normally little bit smaller than European Oak,

For Russian Oak Floor, the regular length x width is like below:

1860x148mm

1860x189mm

2200x220mm

For European Oak Floor, the regular length is like below:

1900x190mm

2200x220mm

2200x260mm

2200x300mm

Tannic Acid

Russian oak has less tannic acid inside, European oak has more, this will only influence if your floor needs fumigation, after fumigation, the appearance will be different. normally European oak looks darker & better. And Because of the tannic acid, For european oak we can do many different style “chemical treatment”, With russian oak can not.

European oak light fumed

European Oak, Light Fumed

This is one European Oak Chemical reaction color, (not normal staining). Russian Oak do not have much tannic acid which is not able to make such special colors.
To make it short, what does this influence your order:
1. Russian Oak can be done into AB, ABC grade easy. clear surface, less knots, less color variation.
2. It also related to the color for Oak you want to buy, For example, if you show me a chemical treated color, sometimes I can say it can only be done into European oak. If you are much like to buy “Natural color” or just simply staining, I will more recommend to buy russian oak.
If you can arrange a visit to our factory we can show you different samples then you will understand quickly.
Our factory do a very serious grading sorting system, in below link there are videos of how they do it every day.