PLAINSAWN CUTS
Plainsawing is the most common and least
expensive method of sawing; most wood flooring is cut this way.
Plainsawn lumber is obtained by making the first saw cut down the
length of the log and the remaining cuts parallel to the first. This
method is the most economical because it provides the widest boards
and
 results
in the least amount of waste.
Plainsawn lumber will tend to contain more
variation within and among boards. Also, since plainsawn wood is
less dimensionally stable, the lumber will tend to expand and
contract more across the width of the boards than quartersawn
lumber.
Physical factors to consider when choosing
plainsawn lumber:
- Wood grain patterns resulting from the
annual rings are more conspicuous in plainsawn wood.
- Plainsawn wood is less dimensionally stable
and will expand and contract more across the width of the boards.
- Inperfections, when present, extend through
fewer boards.
QUARTERSAWN CUTS
To make quartersawn flooring, the log is first
cut into quarters and then sawn perpendicular to the growth rings.
This cut
 produces
a floor with a tight vertical grain which looks good and is very
stable. When quartersawn flooring is introduced to changing
humidity, the wood expands and contracts vertically instead of
horizontally. This characteristic makes quartersawn flooring an
ideal choice for installations over radiant floor heating.
Physical factors to
consider when choosing quartersawn lumber:
- Quartersawn flooring is more stable because
it expands and contracts vertically instead of horizontally.
- Quartersawn wood twists and cups less.
- Quartersawn floors wear more evenly.
- The wood splits less during seasoning and
in use.
- Raised grain in the annual growth rings
does not appear as pronounced.
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