Wood Grain and Wood Strength

Why is the direction of wood grain important when building with wood? Wood is a natural substance that is much stronger when the grain is continuous. Wood is a natural polymer. That is, it consists of parallel strands of cellulose fibers held together by a lignin...

How Do I Know How Hard a Wood Really Is?

What is the Janka Rating System Anyway? When in doubt about the type of wood to select for your cabinetry, flooring, furniture or millwork project, refer to the Janka Rating System, which measures the relative hardness of woods. The hardest commercially available...

Energy Use of Using Wood

Designing With Wood is Good! Designing with wood is often the preference of many homeowners, designers and architects. For those concerned about their environmental footprint, this desire can be stressful. Without knowing all of the facts, the knee jerk reaction of...

What is Quarter Sawn Wood?

By definition, quarter sawn lumber is the angle that the annular growth rings intersect the face of the board. However there is little agreement what exactly that angle is. Most define it as between 60 – 90 degrees, although others define it as between 75...

WHAT IS RIFT SAWN LUMBER?

Rift sawn lumber is typically narrow with a very straight grain pattern on the face of the board. Rift sawn lumber is usually used with oak to avoid the flecks that are common in the species. The annular rings or a rift sawn board are about 30-60 degrees to the face...

What is Plain Sawn Wood?

Plain sawn, also commonly called flat sawn, is the most common lumber you will find. This is the most inexpensive way to manufacture logs into lumber. Plain sawn lumber is the most common type of cut. The annular rings are generally 30 degrees or less to the face of...

Combine Rustic and Modern Design for Unique Look

This designer highlights how to successfully combine two very separate design looks into one cohesive and fresh look. Check out the key details that create this unexpected aesthetic. When Mother Nature Meets Your Modern Nature Architects, interior designers, and more...

Classic Design, Completely Unique Wood

Sometimes all it takes to create a new design style is to update a classic design. In the case of designing with wood in mind, sometimes this is just a change in the type of wood a design is made from. Really love the lines of a craftsman table but not excited about...