|
The angle at which a board is cut determines how the finished
product looks. Wood flooring is either plainsawn, quartersawn or
riftsawn.
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. |
 |
The flooring will tend to expand and contract more across the
width of the boards.
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. |
 |
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.
The hardest wood flooring on this Janka list is not
necessarily the best one to purchase. One has to make a
decision based on how forgiving a wood flooring is and whether
or not it will perform well in the climate you live in.
|
|
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
Douglas Fir |
660 |
So. Yellow Pine (loblolly & short leaf) |
690 |
So. Yellow Pine (longleaf) |
870 |
Black Cherry |
950 |
Teak |
1000 |
Black Walnut |
1010 |
Heart Pine |
1225 |
Iroko - Kambala |
1260 |
Yellow Birch |
1260 |
Red Oak (Northern) |
1290 |
American Beech |
1300 |
Ash |
1320 |
White Oak |
1360 |
Australian Cypress |
1375 |
Hard maple |
1450 |
Brazilian Maple |
1500 |
Zebrawood |
1575 |
Wenge |
1630 |
Kempas |
1710 |
African Pedauk |
1725 |
Bamboo |
1800 |
Hickory/Pecan |
1820 |
Purpleheart |
1860 |
Jarrah |
1910 |
Merbau |
1925 |
Sydney Blue |
2023 |
Brushbox |
2135 |
Tigerwood |
2160 |
Santos Mahogany |
2200 |
Mesquite |
2345 |
Brazilian Cherry |
2350 |
Spotted Gum |
2473 |
Bloodwood |
2900 |
Tiete Rosewood |
3200 |
Brazilian Teak |
3540 |
Brazilian Walnut |
3620 |
|
