DAR means Dressed All Round timber, smooth and machined on all sides, ready for use in woodworking, joinery, and construction projects.
Please note: Images are an indication of the species only, not dimensions.

Overview

Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) is a distinctive Australian hardwood prized for its striking grain patterns and warm, golden appearance. Despite its name, it is not a true oak but belongs to the Proteaceae family. This fast-growing native timber has been valued in Australian woodworking for generations, offering a unique combination of beauty, workability, and versatility for both decorative and functional applications.

Colour and Appearance

Silky Oak features a heartwood ranging from pale pink through to warm golden yellow and light reddish brown tones, often with subtle pinkish or reddish highlights that deepen with age and exposure. The sapwood is creamy white, clearly demarcated from the heartwood. The timber displays a fairly coarse, open texture with a characteristic silky finish when worked. Its most distinctive feature is the prominent ray figure visible on quarter-sawn surfaces, creating beautiful silvery flecks and lacewood-like patterns that shimmer and add dramatic visual interest to finished pieces.

Properties and Performance

Silky Oak is a medium-density hardwood with a density of approximately 560 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content and a Janka hardness rating of around 6.5 kN. It has moderate strength properties, falling into strength group S6 unseasoned and SD7 seasoned. The timber exhibits moderate dimensional stability with tangential shrinkage of 4.7% and radial shrinkage of 1.6% to 12% moisture content. Durability is rated as Class 4 for both above-ground and in-ground applications, making it suitable primarily for interior use and protected environments. It is moderately resistant to most insect attacks but requires treatment for exterior applications.

Perfect Applications

Silky Oak excels in a wide range of interior and decorative applications:

• Fine furniture and cabinetmaking where its distinctive grain can be showcased

• Decorative veneers and panelling, particularly quarter-sawn for maximum figure

• Musical instruments, utilizing its acoustic properties

• Woodturning projects and specialty turned objects

• Interior joinery and architectural millwork

• Small specialty items and gift projects

• Shelving and display pieces
  Its unique appearance and workability make it especially valuable for projects where visual impact and fine detailing are priorities.

Working Characteristics

Silky Oak is relatively easy to work with hand and power tools, making it ideal for both professional and hobbyist woodworkers. The timber cuts, shapes, and sands readily, though care should be taken during planing as tearout can occur, particularly when working against the grain or in areas with interlocked grain. It has a moderate to high blunting effect on cutting edges, so sharp tools are recommended. Silky Oak glues exceptionally well and accepts finishes beautifully, taking oils, stains, and varnishes evenly. When properly finished, it can be polished to a high sheen that highlights its natural silky texture and luxurious appearance. The coarse grain may cause slight splintering with power tools, but overall it provides good workability for detailed designs and intricate joinery.

Sizes and Availability

Available in various thicknesses and lengths to meet your project requirements. As a natural product, grain patterns and color may vary between pieces. For large quantities or specific sizes, please contact us to confirm availability.

Sustainability and Quality

All timber is responsibly sourced from sustainable forestry and kiln-dried to Australian Quality Standards for stability and performance.

Quality You Can Trust

Hand-selected for quality and reliability, Silky Oak offers excellent value for your woodworking projects. Now available for online ordering.

Need assistance? Email us at sales@trendtimbers.com.au and our friendly team will help you find the perfect timber for your project.
All timber is sourced from sustainable and ecologically friendly sources and is kiln dried to Australian Quality Standards.
We have hand selected a range of quality species perfect for beginners and experienced woodworkers. Now available online!
If you require any further information regarding this species, sizing, availability or more, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly and our staff will be happy to help.

Contact:
Drop by our showroom at 15 Railway Road North, Mulgrave, NSW, 2756 today.
Please inquire further for more information regarding supply, sizing and pricing via our contact email: sales@trendtimbers.com.au
See our Online Range by clicking the link below:
https://trendtimbers.com.au/product-category/timber/