This traditional craft of smoked oak has been known for over 100 years. In traditional craftsmanship, tannin-containing woods were superficially darkened by applying sal ammoniac. Subsequent processing was no longer possible. The natural, light oak color would then reappear. Today's vacuum process allows us to guarantee this brilliant dark color right into the wood core.
HOW OAK IS SMOKED TODAY
With ammonia in modern vacuum technology with a vacuum of 0.1 bar, tannin-containing woods are evenly darkened to the heartwood. The depth of color results from the tannin content of the oak. The duration of the treatment does not determine the intensity here.
The long and thus costly process of after-drying under vacuum is necessary to achieve a neutral-smelling product for all applications. With a residual moisture content of less than 10%, it is possible to largely remove the residual ammonia from the wood. An impeccable raw material is created for the production of unique furniture.
USE OF SMOKED OAK
After the wood has been smoked and dried, the craftsman can begin further processing as well as gluing. The surface treatment with high-quality varnishes or natural oils completely closes the pores, so that smoked oak can be used in all areas of application.
Typical uses:
- Parquet or industrial floors
- Stair construction
- Facades
- Boatbuilding
- Doors & gates
- Furniture making
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF SMOKED OAK
The wood acquires particularly good properties through the smoking process. The oak boards plasticize during smoking. The wood acquires an oily sheen, retains its dark, brilliant color, even after years of exposure to light. Due to the ammonia content, it is naturally very difficult for fungi to rot or for insects to eat. This means that smoked oak will remain beautiful, brilliant and dark even in 100 years. Advantages of smoked oak:
- Weather-resistant
- Durable and robust
- The wood does not crack or warp and is less brittle
- The wood is easy to work with
- Resistant to fungi and insects
- Brilliant dark coloring
- Sustainability as domestic wood
- Alternative to tropical wood Disadvantages of smoked oak:
- High salt content, electronic resistance moisture measurement not possible
- Exact moisture measurement only possible by drying test
- Contains ammonia
SUSTAINABILITY OF SMOKED OAK
Sustainability and environmental awareness are our top priorities for our woods! Since our oak wood comes from domestic forests, it has a positive environmental balance, in contrast to tropical hardwoods. The wonderful dark color is quite comparable to exotic hardwoods such as ebony, wenge or Makassar wood.
