Walnut is a very distinct wood. The heart wood is a very deep rich brown while sapwood is very pale and white. The select grade typically is 100% heart wood while the rustic is more contrasting. Depending on the grade you choose Walnut can very formal or have a country style. Walnut is strikingly beautiful especially when installed and finished perfectly. Walnut is on the softer side at around 22% softer than red oak.
Wood Grading
Select
- no white wood
- no knots
- no defects
- consistent color throughout
- no mineral streaks
#1 common
- only a few white boards
- small dime sized knots
- some mineral streaking
#2 common
- Large knots
- worm holes
- white wood
- mineral streaking
Characteristics
Hardness/Janka: 1010 or 22% softer than Red Oak
Stability: 7.8 or 9% more stable than Red Oak
Origin: North America
Grain: Mostly straight and is an open grain. Contains some burled and curly grain. Walnut has smaller pores than hickory.