Lumber Cuts

Lumber cuts

Lumber & veneer cuts determine the core appearance of the floor boards, the length, performance, stability & price.

Plainsawn

Wood cut parallel to the growth rings (0°–45°) is called plainsawn in hardwoods and flatsawn in softwoods. It is stable in thickness but less stable in width.

Riftsawn

Here's a shorter version of that text: Riftsawn (hardwoods) or bastard sawn (softwoods) lumber is cut so the growth rings form 30°–60° angles to the board's face.

Quartersawn

Quartersawn (hardwoods) or vertical grain (softwoods) lumber is cut perpendicular to the growth rings (45°–90°). It's more stable in width but less stable in thickness.

Livesawn

Live sawn wood is cut straight from log to board, showing the full range of grain patterns, width, and stability.