The Right Cut

We believe that "cut" really matters when you're talking about clothing, diamonds, and meat, but it also matters when you're shopping for hardwood flooring. Yesterday I commented on the risks of using rotary peeled hardwood flooring in dry climates. Some then asked if I'd explain the different cuts of hardwood flooring in more detail.

No problem.

One of the more confusing elements in buying hardwood flooring is the cut of the wood. Rotary peel, quarter sawn, rift sawn and flat sawn all have different looks and different properties - all of which will impact how your floor looks and wears.

The term "flat sawn" or "plain sawn" refers to a cut whereby you bisect the log and make subsequent cuts parallel to the first. Pros: It is an efficient cut with little waste. It will show more variation in grain including flat grain (those arches you see in grain that look like mountain peaks) and vertical grain. Cons: It will expand and contract more than a vertical grain product of the same species as the relative humidity changes with the seasons.

A quarter sawn hardwood is when the log is cut into quarters, and then the quarters are cut on a line that runs from the center of the log out to the edge of the log. This method of cutting results in a board surface that shows a lot of vertical grain. In fact, by definition, a quarter sawn board will have growth rings that form an angle of 45° to 90° with the surface of the piece. Pros: Vertical grain boards are more stable (expand and contract less) than flat grain products. It twists and cups less than flat grained products. It is harder than flat grained products and therefore will wear better. Cons: It is less efficient cut (more waste) and therefore costs more than flat sawn products.

Rift sawn boards are similar to quarter sawn boards, except that they are cut so that growth rings are at an angle of 30° to 60° with the surface of the board. Rift sawn offers similar advantages and disadvantages so we won't rehash them here. In fact, many custom home builders order "rift and quartered" products from us, because the look and properties are so similar.

Rotary peeled lumber is where the log is "peeled" akin to peeling an onion. This is the most efficient of cuts, but yields the least interesting grain pattern. Pros: This is the most efficient method for cutting and is therefore very eco-friendly. Cons: It's a matter of taste but most feel the look is not as attractive as boards that come from the other methods of cutting. Plus, rotary peeled boards usually end up as the wear layer in many engineered products. They have a natural inclination to return to their curved shape, and therefore tend to "check" or crack more, especially in our dry climate. We have some premium rotary peeled products that work great in Colorado - but shop very carefully! Many lesser products will fail here.

As always, shop wisely. Make informed decisions. Buy products that will bring a lifetime of value and pleasure!