Frequently Asked Questions
What is Plainsaw lumber?
Plainsawn wood is perhaps the most straightforward way to cut rectangular-profiled boards out of a round log. Sawmills create plainsawn lumber by making a series of parallel cuts in a log. This system of cutting wood provides excellent yield because it minimizes waste. Unfortunately, plainsawn lumber has some critical disadvantages. Woodgrain in a log is comprised of a series of concentric rings beginning in the center. Plainsawn boards have substantially different grain patterns depending on where they were cut out of the log. Since wood expands and contracts in different ways with respect to grain, plainsawn lumber is typically less stable than the alternatives listed below. The tendency of wood to expand and contract is called wood movement.
What is Riftsawn lumber?
Riftsawn lumber is much more stable than plainsawn lumber. Each board has the same relation to the log, and therefore each board will have the same grain pattern. Furniture made out of riftsawn wood has more of a uniform appearance due to the similarity of grain patterns among different boards. Since the yield produced by riftsawing wood is substantially lower than other plainsawing, the cost is relatively high.
What is Quartersawn lumber?
Quartersawn boards are created by first cutting a log into quarters and then creating a series of parallel cuts perpendicular to the tree's rings. The yield is not as substantial as in plainsawing but much greater than in riftsawing. Since the yield produced by quartersawing wood is substantially lower than other plainsawing, the cost is relatively high.
Do you have a minimum?
No, you can order as little or as much as much would like.
What is green lumber?
Often called garden-grade lumber because it is stacked outside in a lumberyard. Has a higher moisture content and is usually less expensive than -dried or air-dried lumber. It is also easier to nail, but it will shrink as it dries, causing nails to loosen and gaps to appear between boards.
What is dried lumber?
Lumber that is dried in a , or a large oven, rather than by natural air currents.
What is air dried lumber?
Lumber that is stacked with spacers to allow air to circulate and is usually marked indicating its maximum moisture content at the time it leaves the mill.