What is Tiger Oak and Should You Be Using It?
Gary Cripps 
Have you ever heard of Tiger Oak? It’s becoming increasingly popular in woodworking and furniture projects, but what is it and should you be using it for your own projects? Read on to find out about this unique wood and how it can give your furniture an amazing finish.
Discovery of the tiger oak
Tiger oak, also known as “fiddleback” oak, was discovered in Europe in the 1700s and has intrigued woodworkers ever since. Tiger oak is characterized by its unique, swirling grain patterns of light and dark heartwood stripes which cause the wood to look almost like a tiger’s stripes. While it is firmly believed that the tiger pattern occurs because of a mineral mix within the tree during its formation, other theories have been proposed to explain the wood’s unique aesthetic.
Tiger oak is valued for its rich coloration and durability and is suited for a variety of applications from musical instruments to architectural elements such as panels, beam and mouldings. Its consistent color throughout provides an exquisite finish while still being cost-effective. Additionally, since there are no two pieces exactly alike due to the grain patterns being never-repeating, tiger oak adds an air of uniqueness no matter what application it’s used for.
Tiger oak production process
Tiger oak is a type of wood with a distinctive grain pattern. It has been used to make furniture and cabinetry since the 19th century, and is favored for its stunningly beautiful appearance. The process used to produce tiger oak begins with selecting hardwood lumber boards that have a sufficiently clear grain pattern to cut veneers from them.
The artisans then painstakingly cut thin sheets from these boards using special saws, carving out the intricate tiger oak grain pattern with skillful precision. The thin sheets are then analyzed for size, thickness, and uniformity for matching pair pieces or exact sizes as dictated by the order’s specifications. Once given the stamp of approval as suitable for use, each sheet is then hand carved into small Medallions or delicate diamonds known in the trade as “jewels.”
The resulting pieces are carefully matched together to form a single “bookmatched” panel of unparalleled beauty that captures the magical Tiger Oak design inherent in each board. Through careful selection, masterful cuts and expert craftsmanship, this unique product comes to life. The finished panels are perfect for makingand accentuating fine furniture by adding an eye-catchingheirloom quality look that stands out from mass-produced contemporary designs.
Should you use tiger oak?
Tiger oak, sometimes referred to as striped or ripple oak, is a type of hardwood flooring that features both light and dark colored grain patterns. The pattern resembles the stripes that adorn a tiger’s coat, hence the name. The striping is caused by the growth rings of the tree curling and warping at different rates during production due to fluctuations in moisture content. While some consider it an eye-catching feature, others might view it as simply old-fashioned. But should you be using tiger oak for your flooring needs?
One major benefit of choosing tiger oak flooring is its durability. The harder grains within the tight growth ring pattern create a strong surface that can stand up to daily wear and tear for many years to come. Additionally, tiger oak’s classic look will never go out of style and can easily be incorporated into all types of home décor styles including traditional, rustic, modern or contemporary. And since it is available in various shades it can easily match existing or planned room color schemes, making it even more ideal for home décor purposes.
Although these advantages are compelling enough on their own to draw consideration, there are some potential drawbacks when it comes to using tiger oak flooring as well. Installing this type of wooden floor can be more complicated than typical flat boards due to its unique look and varying grain patterns. Additionally depending upon lighting conditions within a space it may not always appear even which could create an appearance issue if not respected accordingly during installation process. Lastly the cost associated with purchasing this product may not be within everyone’s budget given its increased complexity relative to other more common hardwoods such as maple or red oak.
Despite these relative drawbacks however there still could be great value in choosing tiger oak for your desired applications if given appropriate consideration. As with all big decisions about home improvement projects – think through your options carefully before investing time and money in products like this one! Be sure you conduct thorough research and speak with experts in order to make an informed decision about whether Tiger Oak is right for you!
Why it is still popular
Tiger Oak wood is known by many names, including tigerwood, claro walnut, Brazilian walnut and Brazilian Koa. It is a deciduous tree native to the subtropical rainforest in the South American states of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
Known for its distinctive striped appearance and durable characteristics, Tiger Oak has been used for centuries to build furniture and flooring due to its natural resistance to rot, insects, disease and moisture absorption. It is also prized for its light coloring which can range from a golden hue to stylish reddish brown.
Today Tiger Oak continues to be popular because it adds a traditional warmth and beauty to your home. Its unique graining pattern adds character, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of interior styles such as Southern French Country or Rustic Mountain Retreats. As such Tiger Oak has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years as people look to add luxurious elegance into their home décor.
In addition to being visually stunning Tiger Oak is well-known as a reliable choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens or hallways due to its exceptional strength stability—a feature that allows it maintain its shape even over time with use or exposure changes such as air temperature or humidity levels. This makes Tiger Oak an ideal option if you’re looking for flooring that will stand up against wear-and-tear over the years with minimal maintenance needed on your part.
