Oak vs Pine: What’s the Difference?
Oak and pine are two of the most popular woods for use in furniture, whether you’re looking for a chunky farmhouse dining table or an industrial-style wooden TV stand. It’s important to understand the differences so you can choose the best option for your needs and preferences when it comes to style, durability, and cost.
In this guide, we’ll be taking you through the main differences between these two fantastic types of wood to help you decide which one you should choose for your furniture.
Visual Differences of Oak and Pine
Lay a plank of oak next to one of pine, and you’ll instantly see a range of differences.
The first difference is in the colour. Oak typically features darker, warmer tones, ranging from light beige to rich browns. Meanwhile, pine offers lighter hues, usually between pale yellow and light brown. Whilst pine can darken with age, it remains relatively light compared to the darker tones of oak.
The second difference between the aesthetics of pine and oak is in the grain patterns of the wood. Pine features smoother, more subtle grain patterns with a more uniform and less pronounced appearance compared to oak, though they often have knots which make each piece unique. Oak features more prominent grain patterns, which are often straighter than those of pine, though they can have waves or knots. The texture of oak is coarse and open, compared to the smoother feel of pine.
Which is Stronger, Oak or Pine?
Perhaps one of the biggest differences between oak and pine is their innate durability. Oaks are deciduous trees (the type which loses its leaves every winter), which means oak is dense and therefore classified as a hardwood. Meanwhile, pine is a softwood which comes from coniferous trees (the type which stays green throughout the year).
Whilst the hardness of minerals is measured using the Mohs scale, wood is measured using the Janka hardness test. There are hundreds of species of oaks and pines, all differing in exact hardness, and wood from different parts of the tree trunk also differ with wood from the centre of the trunk (heartwood) being more dense and durable than wood from the outer rings (sapwood).
Despite these variations, on average, oak is significantly more durable and stronger than pine. English Oak, the most common oak species in the UK, can withstand a force of up to 5000N. The most common pine species in the UK, Scots Pine, has a Janka hardness of 2420N - less than half the hardness of English Oak.
The high hardness rating of oak means that furniture made from the hardwood is incredibly resistant to daily wear and tear, scratches, and dents. It’s less likely to incur damage than pine, but pine can still withstand everyday use if properly cared for and strengthened using varnishes. Oak is more suited to high-traffic areas like dining tables, desks, and commercial or hospitality furniture. It’s also ideal for outdoor furniture, as its dense grain structure makes it more resistant to moisture.
However, this doesn’t mean that pine can’t be a fantastic, long-lasting choice for furniture, especially in pieces which don’t endure heavy stress.
Solid Pine TV Stand with Floating Storage and Hairpin Legs
Workability of Oak and Pine
One of the reasons pine could be the better choice for certain pieces is its flexibility. Its softness allows for easier cutting, shaping and sanding, allowing craftspeople to create intricate designs and more detailed work. It responds well to a variety of tools and techniques, allowing for more creativity and providing a more efficient crafting process. This makes pine the ideal choice for styles which feature intricate elements like hand-carved legs, corbels, aprons or moulding.
The hardness of oak makes it more challenging to work with, which is why you often see the inherent beauty of the wood speaking for itself more than any intricate carvings or unique shapes. It requires sharper tools and more effort to cut, shape, and sand, but it does hold its shape well to produce clean, sharp edges. Oak is therefore more suited to chunky, rustic or farmhouse styles.
Which is More Expensive, Oak or Pine?
Oak is generally more expensive than pine due to its hardness, durability, and longer growth period. Oak grows more slowly than pine, which is why the wood becomes so dense. Pine is typically more affordable than oak due to the faster growth rate of pine trees and its lower density and durability.
There are many factors that can influence the cost of the wood, including the exact species of tree, the presence of knots, or whether the wood is imported. A clear, knot-free pine imported from another continent will be more expensive than a UK-grown pine with many knots.
Whilst pine generally incurs a lower cost than oak, it’s important to consider how you’ll be using the wood. If you opt for pine pub garden furniture, you’ll likely need to repair or replace it more often than if you had chosen oak.
Sustainability of Oak and Pine
Sustainability is very important to us at The Bespoke Carpentry Co., which is why we only use reclaimed wood to build our handmade furniture. We carefully select and repurpose timber which has been removed from its original application, such as in an old building or warehouse, keeping it out of landfill and removing the need for us to harvest any new wood.
When wood rots, it creates methane, which is a greenhouse gas associated with climate change. Combined with deforestation, the impact of harvesting, using and eventually disposing of wood on the environment is massive. Using reclaimed wood changes that cycle, giving perfectly good planks the chance of a new life in bespoke, handmade furniture.
This is particularly important when it comes to oak. The slow growth of these trees mean they are a far less renewable resource compared to the faster-growing species of pine.
Rustic Solid Pine Coffee Table with Hairpin Legs
Choosing the Right Wood for Your Furniture
As you may have already concluded, neither oak or pine can be proclaimed as the ‘better’ wood overall. They both have different characteristics which make them more suited for various applications, whether it’s the inherent durability of oak or the pale beauty and affordability of pine. Both woods lend themselves well to a variety of styles, with both able to take various stains to give a deeper, warmer, or cooler toned finish. For a chunky farmhouse dining table, oak might be the better choice, whilst pine might be the better option for an intricately carved sideboard.
If you’re not sure which type of wood is best for your furniture, talk to us! Our experts are always happy to talk about all things wood and can advise on your options.
Here at The Bespoke Carpentry Co. we offer a beautiful range of reclaimed oak and pine furniture that celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of natural materials. Each table is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans who take pride in their work, ensuring you get a product that not only looks stunning but also stands the test of time.
To get started, browse our range of pre-designed reclaimed wood furniture online, give us a call on 01305 849386 or fill out our online contact form.
