Tasmanian oak timbers have medium hardness and are sometimes low on the Janka hardness scale at just 1350 (5.5+). It is, however, slightly stronger than red oak, nearly 40% harder than teak, and just slightly less hard than white oak.
Tasmanian oak relates to the wood from one of three related species, when sourced from Tasmania in Australia: Eucalyptus reg, oblique, and delegates.
Reliability and stability are two words that most builders associate with the popular wood, which gives it an advantage over many other wood types. I love that this wood is so easy for sawing, and is strong enough for flooring, cupboards, and furniture.
However, the flooring’s hardness will fluctuate substantially depending on the percentages of the three types of wood utilized in its construction. Let’s take a solid look at Tasmanian oak, how it ranks on the hardness scale, as well as its pros and cons.
How Hard is Tasmanian Wood and What is it?
Tassie Oak, or Tasmanian Oak, is a hard and durable timber with a Janka 5.5 rating. The ease with which it can be worked makes it a popular choice for flooring and parquetry, both of which are typically installed inside.
This is because the Tasmanian Oak showcases this wonderfully soft and light timber so well because of its remarkable texture and color.
What is the Tasmanian Oak?
Tasmanian Timber typically consists of a mix of three different tree species that are all native to Tasmania and have some similarities but also exhibit significant differences.
Trees like Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus Regnans), Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus Delegatensis), and Messmate can all be classified as Tasmanian Oak (Eucalyptus Obliqua). The many hardwood species in this assortment span the gamut of blonde tones, from sand to chocolate.
Older trees can be any shade of dark, whereas fresh growth is typically lighter. Because of this, Tasmanian Oak hardwood has a wider range of colors.
Tasmanian oak millers prefer to cut in narrower sections, often between 16 and 25 millimeters in thickness, because of the state’s temperate environment and the trees’ naturally pure composition. Small moldings, flooring, lining, and furniture can all benefit from these. The smallest thicknesses that some Tasmanian oak sawmills can cut are 38mm and 50mm.
Tasmanian Oak timber is ideal for completed and structured flooring properties due to its versatility and versatility. The timber is not only simple to install but also adds a high-end look to the interiors.
Exactly What are Janka Hardness Scales Ratings?
Each species is assigned a hardness value based on the results of the Janka hardness test. The resistance of a piece of wood to being indented is measured by its “Janka rating,” which is stated in kilonewtons. It’s a good indicator of how resistant wood is to dings and scratches. Generally speaking, the harder something is, its Janka rating or number gets higher too.
Tasmanian Oak Flooring Grades
Two distinct quality levels exist for Tasmanian oak flooring. Some manufacturers refer to the Select grade and the #1 Common grade of Tasmanian Oak by other names, but both are high quality.
Tasmanian Oak flooring in the selected grade ranges in color from a light tan to a light brown and gray, but it is always knot-free. Tasmanian Oak of the Common quality (grade 1) will contain pitch pockets and tiny knots.
Small, dark crevices called “pitch pockets” indicate areas inside a tree where the pitch has collected. Typically, Tasmanian Oak flooring will be quarter sawn and will have a tight, vertical grain pattern.
Dimension Specifications for Tasmanian Oak Flooring
It is more economical to ship completed material than raw lumber, hence most Tasmanian Oak is milled in Australia. The piles of Tasmanian Oak flooring are only 7 feet long, so they can be easily transported in 8-foot wide steel shipping containers.
Tongue-and-groove and end-matching are standard features on all pre-milled goods. Fast adaptation is achieved with a moisture content of 6-8%. The length of the flooring pieces varies from 1 to 7 feet on average.
Typically, the length of an imported flooring bundle is 7 feet, and the width can range anywhere from 214 inches to five feet. Long or wide plank flooring may only be acquired by importing raw lumber and having it manufactured here in the US.
Average lengths can extend to about 12 feet. But due to the labor and waste costs in America, the final price can easily treble that of the pre-milled stock. Additionally, this species’ raw lumber is both expensive and hard to come by.
Availability of Tasmanian Oak Flooring
Prefinished or unfinished solid Tasmanian Oak flooring is available for nail-down applications, and engineered Tasmanian Oak flooring with a veneer top layer is available for concrete installations. In the world of hardwood floors, Tasmanian oak is a rare find.
Australia has a manageable population of Tasmanian Oak, thus the tree is not in danger of extinction. However, decreased production as a result of harsher regulations and a sluggish American economy has led to a modest increase in prices.
The appearance of Tasmanian Oak Finished Floor
Tasmanian Oak flooring features subtle brown and gray color variations. The wood is a dark tan with a dark color variance, and the pitch pockets are nearly black. It’s best to use either an oil-based or water-based finish. The floor doesn’t fade to dark color as it ages.
Tassie Oak flooring is highly stable and resistant to denting and traffic damage. Its density makes it harder than many floors in North America, but it can expand when exposed to moisture if it isn’t acclimated first. The Tasmanian Oak weighs around 3 pounds per square foot.
Stability and Durability of Tasmanian Oak Flooring
Flooring made from Tasmanian Oak is easy to work with hand or power equipment, despite the wood’s hardness and resilience. You can use a pneumatic nailer or staples to install the floor. However, a manual nailer will do a better job. It takes stains and polishes to a beautiful sheen, glues easily, and is sturdy enough to retain screws.
Sanding using flooring equipment can be challenging, therefore hiring a professional to sand and finish is suggested. The decay and insect resistance of this wood is low. Wearing a dust mask and full clothing while installing with Tasmanian Oak can help prevent an allergic reaction.
Generally speaking, Tasmanian Oak flooring is employed in high-end commercial and residential settings. In addition to modern buildings, it is also common in more rustic settings.
Tasmanian Oak Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Hardwoods that last a long time
- high resistance to water and sunlight; aesthetically pleasing wood grain
- excellent durability, stain resistance, and polishability make it a top choice for the inside lining
- It does what it’s supposed to and ends up looking great
- Scantlings, paneling, and flooring are just a few of the many building uses for it
- Can be glued-laminated to cover long reaches
Cons:
- The oil finishes on some wood species might react to the high tannin volume plus the wet and cold weather
- Finishes can clash with adhesive utilized during the veneering procedure
