Plain Sawn, Rift Sawn and Quarter Sawn Timber Cuts Explained

Raw timber logs are most commonly cut in three different ways, each method depends on how long and wide the timber log is and the facilities available at the sawmill. Different cuts of timber provide different finishes in the grain and usability of the final finished timber and more importantly different prices. Below we explain the differences.

Plain Sawn Timber (Flat Sawn)

Plain sawn timber is the most common cut of timber and it is the least expensive. The technique consists of cutting parallel cuts through the log, resulting in wider boards with minimal waste. This process is fast and efficient and exposes the grain well.

Plain sawn timber is the most common type of wood cut. The annular rings are generally 30 degrees or less to the face of the board, this is often referred to as 'tangential grain'.

Fast to produce with little waste
More affordable due to less labour needed to produce
Displays varied grain patterns and the cathedral grain appearance
Readily available from almost all timber merchants

Rift sawn timber is typically narrow with a very straight grain pattern on the face of the board. Rift sawn Timber is usually used with oak to avoid the flecks that are common in the species. Rift Sawn Timber is the most expensive cut and the least common.

Rift Sawn timber is the least common method of cutting raw timber logs. It is a method that is time and labour intensive and also requires a lot of care to ensure the quality of the final timber boards produced.

To Rift saw timber you first need to Quarter Saw the log and then from the centre of the quarter, saw out the wood. The resulting timber has a uniquely even grain that is perfect for woodworking projects such as construction and furniture making or fine wooden flooring installations.

Rift sawn timber has minimum, or no, variance in terms of expansion or contraction, therefore is good in all humidity's and great for flooring
Rift sawing results in perfect even grain pattern on the smooth final boards
Strength and durability, you will not find stinger timber boards than rift sawn, there are no weak points.

The cost is often prohibitive due to the large about of labour time to produce
Rift Sawn timber creates more waste, adding to the cost
It is hard to source Rift sawn timber as not many saw mills produce it.

Quarter sawn wood has an amazing straight grain pattern that is often used for flooring and furniture. Quartersawn wood is literally cut into quarters before it is run through the mill.

There are a number of benefits of using Quarter Sawn Timber, such as structural integrating when used for building and construction that requires load baring support.

The less distinct grain means a smoother surface finish
Less movement on board sizes (expansion and shrinkage) due to the large width of the boards
Less Prone to warping or twisting due to the board size
Very resistant to water penetration
Ability to retain stain and paint better.

Timber that has been quarter Sawn is generally regarded as more dimensionally stable that the traditional plain sawn timber. Although quarter sawn timber is more expensive due to the labour required to cut the tree into four quarters, the end results is a piece of timber that has a far better finish, as outlined in the advantages above.

Conclusion on the different timber cuts:

Generally you will not need to choose the way your timber is cut, the majority will be plain sawn timber. If you are looking for special piece of timber for a woodworking project then speak to your supplier as they can advise on the best way to source it for you.