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Classic, strong, and beautifully grained, Red Oak is one of the most popular hardwoods for interior woodworking projects. We offer top-quality Red Oak lumber, plywood, and mouldings ideal for cabinetry, flooring, furniture, doors, and trim that call for a traditional yet timeless look. Red Oak features a distinctive open grain and a warm, reddish-tan hue that stains and finishes exceptionally well—perfect for showcasing the natural beauty of the wood. Known for its strength, workability, and durability, Red Oak is a favourite among woodworkers, builders, and DIYers alike. As a proudly Canadian company, Windsor Plywood specializes in high-quality, hard-to-find wood species and provides expert, personalized service. Whether you're building custom furniture or updating interior details, Red Oak delivers reliable performance and classic appeal that never goes out of style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What solid hardwood flooring does Windsor Plywood carry?
Windsor Plywood carries solid hardwood flooring from Wickham Flooring and select other manufacturers in species including maple, red oak, white oak, walnut, cherry, birch, and ash. Plank widths from 2-1/4 to 4-1/4 inches and multiple finish options are available. Wickham flooring is Canadian-made with a zero-VOC UV-cured oil finish and a 35-year residential wear warranty.
What are the advantages of solid hardwood flooring over engineered hardwood?
Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifetime — typically 3 to 5 times — which means a quality solid floor can last 50 to 100 years with proper maintenance. Engineered hardwood has a thinner veneer layer that limits the number of refinishing cycles. Solid hardwood also adds demonstrable value to Canadian real estate and is the premium material specification in high-end residential projects.
What subfloor is required for solid hardwood flooring?
Solid hardwood flooring must be nailed or stapled to a wood subfloor — it cannot be glued to concrete without an intermediate plywood subfloor. The minimum subfloor is 3/4 inch plywood or OSB. The subfloor must be flat within 3mm over 1.8 metres, structurally sound, and at the correct moisture content before installation. Solid hardwood is not appropriate for below-grade (basement) installations where moisture is a concern.
What moisture content should solid hardwood flooring be at installation?
Solid hardwood flooring should be acclimated to within 2 to 4 percent of the expected ambient moisture content of the installation space. For Canadian homes with forced-air heating, this typically means 6 to 9 percent moisture content at the time of installation. Flooring installed too wet will shrink and develop gaps between boards during heating season. Flooring installed too dry in a humid installation space will expand and buckle.
Can solid hardwood flooring be refinished to change the colour?
Yes. Solid hardwood can be sanded back to bare wood and stained to a different colour. Significant colour changes — going from a dark stain to natural, or from natural to a very dark stain — are possible but require full sanding to bare wood and careful stain application, particularly for species prone to blotching such as maple. Consult with Windsor Plywood staff about the appropriate finishing products for your specific species and desired colour change.