How to Tell Oak From Pine Wood
- 1). Knock on the wood. Oak is a hard wood and is heavier and more wear-resistant than its soft wood competitor, thus it will have a more solid, denser sound. Pine, while heavy in its own right, is notably lighter than oak, yet very stiff, enabling it to better resist shock.
- 2). Compare the prices of both types of wood. Oak trees grow much more slowly than pine trees, and it is this investment in time that makes oak more expensive.
- 3). Examine the color of the wood. Oak generally has a dark, reddish color and spans a wider array of styles, from contemporary furniture to traditional country designs. Pine varies in color from creamy white to yellow, and is more suited to rustic and traditional styles.
- 4). Visit a furniture store and examine the different showcases. Oak is used mainly for making traditional, long-lasting furniture such as counters, islands and pianos. Its high strength and wear-resistance also make it ideal for flooring and ship construction. Pine is more commonly used to make light, relatively portable furniture such as chairs, tables, cupboards and beds.