Are you curious about rift and quartered flooring? There are various ways to cut wood flooring, and the milling method used can affect both the appearance and durability of the flooring. In addition to the plain sawn method, rift and quartered are also popular methods of cutting wood from a log to create unique and beautiful flooring. The boards produced from rift and quartered cuts offer distinct advantages.
Understanding the growth patterns of trees is helpful in comprehending how these cuts work and how they impact the look of the boards, which is often determined by the way the growth rings are cut.
Rift Sawn Wood Flooring
Rift sawn wood flooring is cut to create a straight, vertical grain pattern in each plank. The angle of the cut is typically between 30 and 60°, which can yield different patterns and a quarter sawn board. The resulting grain pattern is narrow, uniform, and consistent. There are several advantages to using rift sawn boards.
First, rift sawn wood is highly durable, and the vertical grain pattern means the wood will expand and contract less. This makes it a good choice for wider planks, which can be more unstable than narrower ones.
Second, rift sawn boards are cut in such a way as to avoid the medullary rays, which can impact durability. These rays affect how moisture and other elements penetrate the wood, and avoiding them can help prevent warping and splitting.
Finally, if you’re looking for a uniform grain pattern, rift sawn flooring is an excellent option. The grain pattern is modern and streamlined, making it a popular choice for contemporary homes.
Quarter Sawn Wood Flooring
Quarter sawn wood flooring is produced by cutting the wood at a 90° angle through the growth rings, creating a distinctive grain pattern that is both aesthetically pleasing and durable. The cut of a quarter sawn board allows it to expand and contract in the thickness of the plank, rather than in width, which helps to prevent seasonal gapping and cupping.
The beauty of quarter sawn wood flooring is in its unique grain pattern. The medullary rays, which are the tree’s nutrient system that runs from the core outward, create a ribbon-like pattern that is visible only in quarter sawn cuts. While these patterns may occasionally appear in other cuts, they are guaranteed to be present in a quarter sawn floor.
In addition to its durability and beauty, quarter sawn wood flooring also has a high resistance to moisture and warping. This is because the medullary rays run perpendicular to the face of the board, which makes it less likely to warp or twist when exposed to moisture or changes in temperature.
Another advantage of quarter sawn flooring is that it is more stable and less prone to cupping or crowning. This is because quarter sawn boards have a more uniform grain pattern and a straighter grain, which helps to distribute stress and tension evenly throughout the board.
While quarter sawn flooring can be more expensive than other cuts, it is often worth the investment for those seeking a high-quality, unique, and durable flooring option. With proper care and maintenance, quarter sawn wood flooring can last for many years and add value and beauty to a home or space.
Rift and Quartered Flooring
Rift and quartered flooring are often sold together rather than as distinct options. This is because these cuts are very similar and it would be labor-intensive to remove one from a batch of freshly milled flooring. Typically, these cuts come from the same log, so separating them would require a manual process that would be time-consuming and costly. Additionally, offering these cuts as separate options would result in significant price increases due to the reduced yield in rift and quartered compared to plain sawn. Creating a rift or quartered only floor would also generate significant waste. By mixing these two methods of milling, the price point can remain affordable, and waste can be minimized.
Rift and quarter sawn wood flooring are two options that create beautiful green patterns and have a variety of advantages. If you’re specifically interested in the unique beauty of quarter sawn flooring, you may still find that a rift and quartered floor meets your needs. Both cuts offer durability and stability, as well as the distinct grain patterns that can add both function and beauty to any floor. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of your project.