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Tasmanian Oak
Grades & Properties of Wood Flooring —
Exotic Species
Scientific Names:
Eucalyptus regnans, Eucalyptus obliqua, or Eucalyptus delegatensis (all three species sourced from the Australian state of Tasmania)
Other Common Names and Related Species:
- Alpine Ash
- Australian Oak
- Brown-top Stringybark
- Gum-topped Stringybark
- Messmate Stringybark
- Mountain Ash
- Stringy Gum
- Stringybark
- Swamp Gum
- Victorian Ash
- White-top
- Woollybutt
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Origin:
Australia.
Janka Hardness: 1350
Tasmanian Oak is 4% harder than Red Oak.
Grades of Tasmanian Oak Flooring:
Tasmanian Oak flooring is grouped into two grades. The grades are called different things by different manufacturers, but there is a Select grade Tasmanian Oak and a #1 Common grade. Select grade Tasmanian Oak flooring has some color variation from light tan to light brown and grays but has no knots. The #1 Common grade Tasmanian Oak will have pitch pockets and small knots. Pitch pockets are small black openings where pitch gathered inside the tree. Tasmanian Oak flooring is usually quarter sawn and has a tight vertical grain appearance.
Tasmanian Oak Flooring Dimension Specifications:
Most Tasmanian Oak is milled in Australia because it is more cost-effective to ship finished material than raw lumber. Lengths of the Tasmanian Oak flooring bundles are 7 feet so they can easily fit into 8-foot-wide steel shipping containers. All pre-milled products are tongue-&-groove and end-matched (tongue-&-grooved on the ends of the boards). Moisture content ranges from 6% to 8% for quick acclimation. The average length of the flooring pieces is usually about 3 feet and ranges from 1 to 7 feet. Almost all imported flooring that is found is in 7-foot bundles, with widths available from 2¼″ to 5″. If a long or wide plank floor is desired, raw lumber must be obtained and the flooring must be milled here in the United States. Typically, the lengths can develop up to 12 feet. However, the cost can be double that of the pre-milled stock because of waste and labor costs in the United States. Also, raw lumber is relatively expensive and rare with this species.
Flooring Availability:
Tasmanian Oak flooring is available prefinished or unfinished in solid form for nail-down applications and in engineered form with a veneer top layer for concrete applications. Tasmanian Oak is an uncommon species in comparison with most hardwood flooring. There is a moderate amount of Tasmanian Oak in Australia, and it is not endangered. However, less logging, stricter regulations, and a slower American economy have limited commodities and caused slightly higher prices of this product in this country.
Finished Floor Appearance:
Tasmanian Oak flooring has muted tan and gray color variations. The pitch pockets are almost black and the wood color is dark tan and contains dark color variation. Oil- or water-based finishes are recommended. The flooring does not darken significantly with age.
Flooring Durability and Stability:
Tasmanian Oak flooring is very durable and resists denting and traffic wear quite well. It is harder than many North American floors because of its density but can swell with moisture if not acclimated properly. Tasmanian Oak is heavy, weighing about 3 pounds per square foot.
Workability of Tasmanian Oak Flooring:
Although hard and tough, Tasmanian Oak works with little difficulty with both hand and power tools. When installing the flooring, it is best to use a manual nailer, but staples and pneumatic nailers can be used. It holds screws well, glues well, stains, and polishes to a very attractive finish. It can be difficult to sand with flooring equipment, so professional sanding and finishing is recommended. This wood is not very resistant to decay and insects. To avoid a possible allergic reaction to the material, wear a dust mask and long-sleeve shirt when working with Tasmanian Oak.
Principal Uses of Tasmanian Oak Flooring:
Tasmanian Oak flooring is used in medium- to high-end residential and commercial applications for an interesting floor. It is used in rustic camps as well as in contemporary structures.
