Red Oak remains the most popular hardwood in the U.S. Very pronounced grain lends itself to staining to a variety of colors. The rift cut has a very straight grain appearance and sometimes is referred to as a comb look.
| Industry Standard | Architectural Lumber Specification Beyond the Grade | |
| Grade | NHLA Select & Better | NHLA Select & Better |
| Color | NHLA - no heartwood or sapwood specification | Lumber is sorted to maximize heartwood content |
| Widths | 4" minimum | 4" minimum |
| Lengths | 6' and longer | 6' and longer |
| Clarity | No current NHLA specifications | Lumber is sorted twice to maximize straight grain to ensure an enhanced appearance |
| Grade & Manufacturing |
Product of allowable defects per NHLA grade for flat cut | Manufactured to minimize wane and stain |
Pictures are for illustration purposes to show the variation of the species and cut and will not be an exact representation. Lumber is a product of nature where every board is unique in grain, color and defects.