Types of sawn wood

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 Planks bought from shops such as B&Q, Homebase, Wickes etc need to be chosen carefully.  Even when they ask for money in the shops often you can see considerable warping which makes the wood less useful.  

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Warping occurs when the moisture content of different parts of a piece of wood changes unevenly. When one part dries faster than another part, for example, the drier part shrinks faster and causes stress that changes the shape of the wood.

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The type of sawn wood is most easily seen by looking along the edge of the plank.  Try to avoid a plank that includes the very central part of the trunk, the pith, because that will almost guarantee cracking.

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PLAIN SAWN

• Growth rings 0-30° to the face

• Significant distortion 

• Efficient cutting with little wastage

• Faster to produce

• More affordable

• Readily available

Effects of warping on plain sawn wood

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QUARTER SAWN

• 30°-60° to the face

• More stable than plain sawn

• Increased moisture resistance

• Less likely to cup, twist, warp

• Attractive “fleck” pattern

• Less expensive then rift

 

RIFT SAWN

• 60°-90° to the face

• Ideal for furniture

• The most dimensionally stable cut of lumber

• Unique, linear appearance

• Expensive