Skip to main content

Oak White

Veneer Specification

Description

White Oak is a common hardwood found mainly in states bordering the west side of the Mississippi River and then east and S. Canada. White Oak can vary in color from a very light straw color, to a brown color. It can also be mottled with gray. Occasionally, slow growth old trees will produce veneer with a pink color, very similar to red oak. White oak lumber has a very characteristic showy, coarse grain pattern just somewhat more subdued than red oak. White oak is ring porous, which means that in the spring of the year it produces very large diameter pores that are visible to the naked eye. At some point during the growing season, it it abruptly begins to produce very small diameter, thick-walled pores. The result is alter-nating layers of coarse and fine textured wood. When plain sliced the resulting grain pattern is mainly straight but, may transition to cathedral or irregular grain patterns. The grain is diffused, with great variation in color. It is not uncommon to find a range of grain colors across a single veneer flitch. Due to the wide range in color and similarity to Red Oak, the flitches are sometimes mistaken for Red Oak.

Woodport Grade

Standard. Uniformity Density = 3.0/Square Foot.

White Oak veneer shall be made up mainly of heartwood. The occurrence of sapwood is allowable in all veneered components. Veneer flitch shall be generally light brown, but may have a reddish tint. Grain patterns may range from straight to irregular but, must be oriented with the length of the component. Densely patterned circular and irregular grains are not acceptable. A broad spectrum of grain color is allowed and may occur across the same veneer flitch. May not be deep red, dark brown or black in color. Grain colors shall be diffused, not solid. Components manufactured using multiple veneer flitches shall closely match in color and grain pattern. Veneer shall not contain any blue, grey or off-brown spots or stains. No open knots, voids or areas of decay. Naturally occurring, fine surface slits, (rays), are acceptable. Grain ruptures and cracks up to 1/32" in width, (heavy pencil line), to a maximum length of 2" shall be repaired. Natural characteristics detract from the desired appearance and shall be limited in size and occurrence. No cross bar or curly figuring. Limited amount of cross directional grain fleck is allowed. All natural characteristics shall blend with the veneer flitch color, unless stated. Natural characteristics shall appear random, not patterned across the surface of the finished component. Excessive adhesive shall be removed from the surface of the finished component. Natural characteristics shall not detract from an overall, pleasing to the eye, finshed component appearance.

Not Allowed

  • Bark Pockets
  • Splits/Checks
  • Doze / Dry Rot
  • Blue colored Spots/Stains
  • Grey colored Spots/Stains
  • Off-Brown Spots/Stains
  • Knot holes (voids)
  • Open Defects (voids)
  • Ruptured Grain
  • Ruptured Shake
  • Worm Holes (voids)
  • Worm Tracks (voids)
  • Black Color
  • Dark Brown Color
  • Dark Red Color
  • Cross Bar (figuring)
  • Curly (figuring)
  • Heavy Knife Marks
  • Heavy Machining Marks

Allowed

Knife / Machining Marks:

Shallow surface imperfections in veneer flitch which may be removed through light surface sanding are allowable.

Blended:

Small conspicuous burls, circular displacements and grain swirls are allowable up to a maximum of 5/8" diameter. Must be sound/tight, (no voids). All figures to blend with the natural veneer flitch color and be no darker than the grain color. Figures which are very dark brown or black in color are not acceptable. No figure to produce a shimmered veneer surface texture. Figuring not highly desired in this grade. Maximum number per finished component size as follows:

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
1 Widths up to 13" Lengths up to 24"
2 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 25" - 81"
3 Widths 25" and up Lengths 82" and up

Knots:

All knots must be sound/tight and closed, (no voids). Knots must blend with natural veneer and be no darker than the grain color, unless stated. Knots significantly detract from the appearance desired in this grade. Minimal number of knots desired. Must not be tightly grouped or patterned. Maximum allowable per grouping as stated.

Knots, Pin (Dark Brown/Black & Centers):

Maximum of 1/16" diameter. Dark brown or black solid colors and centers allowed.

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
2 Widths up to 7" Lengths up to 12"
4 Widths 8" - 13" Lengths 13" - 45"
6 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 46" - 81"
8 Widths 25" and Up Lengths 82" and Up
Knots, Pin (Blended):

Maximum of 1/8" diameter. Pin knots must blend with the veneer color. No dark brown, black solid colors or centers. Must not be tightly grouped or patterned.

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
2 Widths up to 7" Lengths up to 12"
4 Widths 8" - 13" Lengths 13" - 45"
6 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 46" - 81"
8 Widths 25" and Up Lengths 82" and Up
Knots, Sounds/Tight:

Maximum of 3/8" diameter. Knots must blend with the veneer color. No dark brown,black centers.

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
1 Widths up to 13" Lengths up to 24"
2 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 25" - 81"
3 Widths 25" and Up Lengths 82" and Up
Knots, Cluster

Maximum of 5/8" diameter across the overall grouping. Clusters with up to (3) knots are allowed. Knot clusters must not be tightly grouped or patterned. Knot clusters are not highly desired characteristic and should be minimized.

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
1 Widths up to 13" Lengths up to 24"
2 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 25" - 81"
3 Widths 25" and Up Lengths 82" and Up

Mineral Stains/Streaks

Can appear as either diffused or solid colored line. Typically oriented with the grain of the veneer. Significantly detracts from the appearance and uniformity desired in this grade. Minimal number of mineral stains/streaks desired. Must not be tightly grouped or patterned. Maximum allowable per grouping as stated.

Mineral Stain:

Diffused, (non-solid), medium grey to medium brown color. No dark brown or black colored stains. Allowable to a maximum of 1/4" in width and 2" in length.

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
1 Widths up to 13" Lengths up to 24"
2 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 25" - 81"
3 Widths 25" and Up Lengths 82" and Up
Mineral Streak:

Solid line of dark brown or black color. Allowable up to maximum 1/32" width, (heavy pencil line), and 3/4" in total length. May be contained within a diffused mineral stain. Multiple number of small stains allowed. Combined total length of smaller stains may not exceed the stated length allowable.

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
1" Maximum Widths up to 13" Lengths up to 12"
2" Maximum Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 13" - 45"
3" Maximum Widths 25" and Up Lengths 46" and Up

Glue and Adhesive Wicking:

Occasional glue/adhesive wicking occurs with Red Oak due to its porous veneer structure. Appears as medium brown irregular shaped spots or bands. Adhesive dries to a clear and/or glossy appearance with a smooth surface texture. Typically oriented with the grain of the veneer. Must be completely sanded from surface of veneer per Woodport Operating Procedure, OP-1703, Orbital Sander Operation. Care must be taken to not sand through the veneer flitch. Small, pin size deposits of adhesive remaining in knots and pores are allowed.

Small Voids (Repairable):

Small voids in the veneer stemming from honeycomb, ruptured grain, cracks, and pin knots are allowable. Voids greater than 1/42", (fine pencil line), to 1/16" in width must be repaired with Zar brand putty, color Red Oak. Repair shall be surface sanded per Woodport Operating Procedure OP-1703, Orbital Sander Operation. Must be sound/tight, (no voids), after repair. Care must be taken to not sand through the veneer flitch.

Veneer Splicing

Veneer shall be spliced to provide a pleasing to the eye appearance. Veneer shall be composed of Heartwood flitches selected to best match color and grain pattern. Veneer with Benin vertical figuring shall be book matched spliced. All veneer shall be spliced so as not to create a unnatural or stark contrast of color, grain or figure. Veneer grain shall be oriented vertically with length of component. Flitches shall not be trimmed or spliced through a figure, knot or stain greater than 1/16" in width.

Veneer Flitch Sizing

Minimum Flitch Width Allowed: 5"

Widths up to 7": No splice allowed

Widths 8" - 13": One splice allowed, centered to overall sheet width. Trim final veneer sheet from both sides to provide flitches of nearly equal width, (+/- 1/4"), and balanced finished appearance.

Widths 14" and Up: Minimum 5" flitch width. Not to exceed 5 total flitches per finished veneer sheet. Individual veneer flitches shall be nearly equal in width, (+/- 1/4"), to provide a balanced appearance.

Veneer Glue Line

Glue line shall be continuous, structurally sound with no separation or voids between flitches. Glue line must not be visible after finish sanding. Minimize excess adhesive on surfaces of veneer flitch and finished component.

Veneer Specifications: Panel Stiles & Rails Flat
Grade (HPVA): Veneer Grade A/B Veneer Grade A/B Veneer Grade B
Thickness: 1/42" or (0.0238") 1/24" or (0.0417") 1/42" of (0.0238")
Thickness Tolerance: +/- (.005") +/- (.005") +/- (.007")
Moisture Content: 5 - 10% 5 - 10% 5 - 10%
Spliced Width Tolerance: +/- (1/16") +/- (1/16") +/- (1/16")
Length Tolerance: +/- (1/16") +/- (1/16") +/- (1/16")
Cutting Method: Rotary Sliced Plain Sliced Rotary Sliced