There are more than 600 species of the oak tree that grow worldwide, from the northern hemisphere to tropical Asia, and its history of being used in the production of furniture can be traced back hundreds of years when it was commonly used in the building trade, including the shipbuilding industry, and for making barrels and kegs for aging wines and brandy, including Scotch whiskey.
The wood actually contributes to the flavor of the drink as it ages in the casks and different species of oak are chosen for the different textures and tastes they give to the flavor, the best wines available have been aged in oak barrels.
In fact, using oak can be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages where artists would paint on oak panels for lords and kings and one of the best instances is in the House of Commons in London where it is incorporated in the panels of the debating chamber.
Among the most striking and sturdiest of hardwoods, its tones are rich and composition tough which makes it a firm favorite with carpenters, furniture makers, and woodworkers, whether doing it for professional reasons or just for fun.
These days it's frequently utilized for wood flooring and hard-wearing furniture as it's known to be resilient, well-built, and very beautiful when waxed, and lasts for a very long time due to its heavy-duty properties. Add to that the fact it's very easy to work with as it can be manipulated in all kinds of ways, one method used is to steam the wood which enables the craftsman to form curved shapes for various types of chairs and wine barrels, and beer kegs.
Oak is very malleable and with its close grain it is designed into every piece of furniture imaginable, and timber-framed structures, but the added bonus is its beauty, the stunning grain markings act as an embellishment to any fine piece, like console tables.
The one disadvantage is that trees mature very slowly, and the acorns that contain the seeds don't appear until the tree is mature which can take up to 40 or 50 years, this is the reason why it's quite expensive.
The great thing about oak is that every part of the tree has a function, not only is the wood suitable for furniture and other objects but also the bark is facilitated to dye leather and the acorns can be used in the production of flour and acorn coffee.
Prices for different kinds of oak varies but English Oak is one of the most expensive as it's the strongest and can stand up to virtually anything that life throws at it, also it's easy to work with and gives outstanding results. The main advantage with this kind of wood is that it can keep out moisture and draughts so is used for a lot more than interior furniture.
Owning a unique oak furniture piece, such as sideboards, will add to any style of home and give a room an up-market look. Versatile, it can be matched with any design whether it's current or rustic. A lot of the furniture turned out these days is churned out on a factory line and mass-produced cheaply, which although might be affordable also never lasts, why buy new every 12 months when you can buy one time and enjoy forever?
The beauty of oak is plain to see with its unique grain that grows more beautiful the older it gets, rarely showing signs of wear. Choose from wooden benches or kitchen units to beds and tables, the choices are endless. This is a tree that matures very slowly, and as the saying goes good things come to those who wait!