Why is Oak Such a Popular Hardwood?

Hardwood furniture is hugely popular these days, and is ideally fit for modern or traditional homes. But why is it that much of the hardwood you encounter is oak furniture? What is it about oak in particular that makes it so suitable for the home:

Firstly, oak is an extremely versatile material. Depending on how the wood is finished (or not as the case may be) it can fit into a wide range of interiors. For example, rustic oak furniture can lend itself to traditional interiors, a farmhouse kitchen for example.

Oak is classed as a middle grade hardwood. In real terms, this means that it is not as cheap as something like pine however it is considerably less expensive than some kinds of hardwood, such as teak and mahogany. Therefore, it is a cost effective material to use for large pieces of furniture or wooden floors.

One of the key reasons why people choose hardwood furniture, and in particular oak furniture, is that it’s extremely durable. Of course, oak furniture does benefit from some care and maintenance; however as long as you treat your furniture well it should last a lifetime, and longer. Many of the antiques you find today are oak pieces.

As well as all these practical advantages, there is something intangible about oak wood that appeals. Perhaps it’s something to do with the druids that once inhabited this land, druid means “men of the oak.”