Type of Wood Cuts

The angle at which a board is cut makes a big difference in how the finished product looks. There are three types of wood cuts:   Plainsawn, Quartersawn and Riftsawn.

Plainsawn is the most common cut. The board contains more variation than the other two cuts because figure patterns resulting from the growth rings are more conspicuous.

Quartersawn produces less board feet per log than plainsawn and is therefore more expensive. Quartersawn wood twists and cups less and wears more evenly.

Riftsawn is similar to quartersawn, but the cut is made at a slightly different angle.