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The angle at which a
board is cut determines how the finished product looks. Wood flooring is
either plainsawn, quartersawn or riftsawn.
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Plainsawn
Plainsawn is the most common and least expensive method of wood
flooring cuts. Plainsawn contains more variation than the other two
cuts because grain patterns resulting from the growth rings are more
obvious. This is the most economical method because it creates the
widest boards with the least amount of waste. Plainsawn is less
dimensionally stable. |
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The flooring will
tend to expand and contract more across the width of the boards.
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Quartersawn
Quartersawing produces less board feet per log than plainsawing and
is therefore is more expensive. The log is first cut into quarters
and then sawn perpendicular to the growth rings. Quartersawn wood
twists and cups less, wears more evenly and is more stable. When
quartersawn flooring is introduced to changing climates and
humidity, the wood expands and contracts vertically instead of
horizontal. |
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Quartersawn flooring
is a most ideal choice for installations over radiant floor heating, as
recommended by the National Wood Flooring Association.
Riftsawn
Riftsawn is similar to quartersawn, but the cut is made at a slightly
different angle.
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The Janka (or side)
hardness test measures the force required to embed a .444 inch steel
ball to half its diameter in wood. This is one of the best measures of
the ability of wood species to withstand denting and wear. It is also a
good indicator of how hard a species is to saw or nail.
The higher the number the harder the wood
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Douglas Fir |
660 |
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So. Yellow Pine (loblolly & short leaf) |
690 |
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So. Yellow Pine (longleaf) |
870 |
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Black Cherry |
950 |
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Teak |
1000 |
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Black Walnut |
1010 |
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Heart Pine |
1225 |
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Iroko - Kambala |
1260 |
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Yellow Birch |
1260 |
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Red Oak (Northern) |
1290 |
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American Beech |
1300 |
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Ash |
1320 |
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White Oak |
1360 |
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Australian
Cypress |
1375 |
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Hard maple |
1450 |
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Brazilian Maple |
1500 |
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Zebrawood |
1575 |
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Wenge |
1630 |
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Kempas |
1710 |
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African Pedauk |
1725 |
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Bamboo |
1800 |
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Hickory/Pecan |
1820 |
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Purpleheart |
1860 |
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Jarrah |
1910 |
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Merbau |
1925 |
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Sydney Blue |
2023 |
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Brushbox |
2135 |
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Tigerwood |
2160 |
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Santos
Mahogany |
2200 |
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Mesquite |
2345 |
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Brazilian Cherry |
2350 |
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Spotted Gum |
2473 |
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Bloodwood |
2900 |
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Tiete
Rosewood |
3200 |
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Brazilian Teak |
3540 |
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Brazilian Walnut |
3620 |
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