Ash

Handloggers’ Opinion
Ash has the accentuated grain of oak with a lighter yellow natural color. In the rustic grades it has color variation from light cream to dark brown. Ash is just under White Oak on the hardness scale and is a natural choice for those who are looking for a light floor with a grain similar to Oak.
Appearance
Color: Heartwood is light tan to dark brown; sapwood is creamy white. Similar in appearance to white oak, but frequently more yellow.
Grain: Bold, straight, moderately open grain with occasional wavy figuring. Can have strong contrast in grain in plainsawn boards.
Variations within species and grades: Sometimes confused with hickory; the zone of large pores is more distinctive in ash, similar to that of red oak.
Properties
Hardness/Janka: 1320; 2% harder than Northern red oak.
Dimensional Stability: Above average (change coefficient .00274; 26% more stable than red oak).
Durability: Elastic, hard; excellent shock resistance. Remains smooth under friction.
Workability
Sawing/Machining: Good machining qualities.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Finishing: No known problems. Stains well.

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"Wood Species Used in Wood Flooring, publication A200, ©1994" provided with permission and courtesy of the National Wood Flooring Association.