Saw Cuts

PLAIN SAWN MILLING:

Plain sawn milling, also known as "flat" sawn, is the most common way to cut a log into flooring planks.  While it is still a more efficient milling method, more material waste is produced than in live sawn milling. The resulting grain pattern on the flooring plank resembles dark cathedral shapes and patterns.

Advantages: Although not as efficient as live sawn, plain saw milling is still material efficient and has beautiful grain patterns.

 

QUARTER SAWN MILLING:

This is a common milling cut in high-end furniture and tables.  This cut produces an amazingly straight, striped grain with distinctive “ray and fleck” patterns mixed throughout.  Due to the milling process, quarter sawn boards are typically narrower than plain sawn boards because the log is first quartered – which is a more wasteful method.

Advantages: Dramatic grain patterns with beautiful flecking in oak species.  Dimensionally stable and generally more resistant to moisture penetration.

 

RIFT SAWN MILLING:

Rift sawing is the most expensive and rare of the milling methods.  The boards are milled perpendicular to the tree’s growth rings. This produces a noticeably straight grain pattern with no flecking present. Due to the extreme amount of waste from the rest of the wood, Rift Sawn flooring is both rare and expensive but yields beauty and greater stability. Rift sawn boards are extremely stable and produce a uniquely linear appearance.

Advantages: Produces the strongest possible boards with the most consistent visual look of long and straight grain patterns. 

 

LIVE SAWN MILLING:

Live sawn milling is the most efficient way to cut a log into flooring planks and is a newer method than the others. Each plank is cut straight off of the log in one direction without changing the orientation of the log. This method produces boards with a full range of angles of the log's rings, also known as the grain.  Live sawn planks include a full range of the log's characteristics, from the sought-after heartwood where the ring patterns are tightest to the sapwood.

Advantages: A material efficient floor with beautiful mixtures of all milling methods included.

Please Note:

The mill's preferred method of live sawing includes all grades of lumber, while preserving as much of the resource as possible. It also allows them to produce planks much longer and wider than what you'll find on any shelf.  We feel live sawing is the most responsible way to harvest wood for flooring.