How the wood is cut will affect the physical characteristics of your hardwood floors. One of the many things you need to consider when choosing hardwood floors is the grain pattern. Each type of wood has a unique grain pattern, but the cut of the wood will also change the face of the wood.
Cathedral grain pattern from plain-sawn wood.
Woodgrain
Every wood has a distinct grain pattern. Some wood species have a more pronounced grain pattern, others are smoother and more subtle. The way the wood is cut will also affect the grain pattern. The cut of the wood will also affect the price.
Three types of cuts for various wood grain patterns
The classic wood grain, one that we mostly recognize in oak floors comes from wood that is called plain-sawn. The grain will make “cathedral” like shapes on the surface of the board. If you are looking for wood with a straight grain, look at quartersawn wood. When you cut the wood at an angle you are creating a long, straight grain that does not have the cathedral pattern of the plain-sawn wood. The most expensive cut of wood is the rift-sawn wood that has even more linear, long, and straight wood grain pattern.
Mix and match
Straight grain pattern from quartersawn and rift-sawn wood.
Sometimes you can buy wood floors that are cut with a mixture of quartersawn and rift-sawn boards. Mixing the various grain patterns can give your floors a bit more personality and make them more architectural. If you are going for a classic wood floor, the plain-sawn wood is a great choice.
Choosing the right grain pattern
When it comes to grain pattern, the best thing you can do for yourself is to visit a hardwood flooring showroom where you can see the differences. Visiting a showroom gives you invaluable insight into the physical characteristics of each type of wood, and each type of cut.
Visit our wood flooring showroom in Denver and Evergreen to talk to a hardwood flooring expert. We carry all the best brands, including solid and engineered wood, as well as, mill direct products. We’ll give you unbiased information about all of our products so that you can make informed decisions.