What is the difference between rift and quarter sawn

This is a very desirable option for those looking for the most benign flooring option — a very minimalist look. It is the most difficult grain pattern to achieve — particularly in wider widths — and therefore, more expensive than even Quarter Sawn. It is also considered more stable because of the vertical grain orientation. The latter is not necessarily true with flooring from CountryPlank because of the care taken with kiln-drying and conditioning.

It is much more important to control the moisture content of the subfloor and the humidity of the area where the flooring is to be installed — because, grain pattern alone will not save you if the site conditions are not appropriate! This happens because many times the special grain presentation that rift and quartered offers, is appealing to designers and architects to achieve a special look they are pursuing.

Many times, rift and quartered white oak can be known to be expensive and hard to find. But why? In general, there are three ways sawmills usually cut white oak. The first one is flat sawn or plain sawn which is the most common cutting technique. When used in cabinets or in flooring this presents a grain pattern that is peaked or what is sometimes referred to as a cathedral pattern. Flatsawn manufacturing allows the sawmill to maximize yield and create lumber more efficiently. Have a unique project that requires precision cutting?

Contact 5th Wall Design. Comparison of typical cutting methods for each type of lumber. In rift sawn lumber the annual rings are typically between degrees, with 45 degrees being optimum. This method produces the most waste, increasing the cost of this lumber.

Rift sawn lumber is very dimensionally stable and has a unique linear appearance. Because at least a third of the planks making up live-sawn floors are quarter-sawn, this type of flooring is stable. Plain-sawn flooring: This is the most common type of milling in the United States, in which the b oard is cut and then the log is turned 90 degrees before being cut again. This involves cutting the lumber into parallel planks through the center, resulting in a beautiful cathedral graining pattern.

Because the wood is cut tangential to the growth rings of the tree , this is not a very stable cut and may be prone to cupping when excessive moisture is present. Quarter-sawn flooring: This cut is produced by quartering the log lengthwise, which results in growth rings which are at 90 degrees to the face of the board.