When it comes to purchasing Denver lumber you may want to take some time to understand the different sawing techniques. Why are these important? The type of sawing technique used will change to appearance of the surface of the board.
For things like flooring where the entire board is exposed this is important. Once the Denver lumber is completely laid out the surface patterns will stand out even more.
Sawing Techniques: Live Sawn
This is a newer method for sawing Denver lumber. It is one of the most efficient ways to cut a log into planks. In essence each plank of Denver lumber is cut off the log in one direction. This process creates Denver lumber with a full visual range of the woods grain.
Sawing Techniques: Rift Sawn
The rift sawn technique creates some of the strongest Denver plumber planks. The boards are cut perpendicular to the growth rings of the tree. This type of pattern unfortunately leaves a lot of waste. For this reason, rift sawn Denver lumber is much more expensive than other types of wood.
Sawing Techniques: Quarter Sawn
This type of sawing technique leaves Denver lumber with a straight grain pattern. The log is sawed into four quarters at a radial angle which is where it gets its name. When this process is don on red oak and white oak Denver lumber it allows the flecks characteristic to this species to really show through.
Sawing Techniques: Flat Sawn
Flat sawn also known as plain sawn is the least expensive Denver lumber. This common type of cut leaves a cathedral pattern on the face of the Denver lumber.
So, in essence learning what to visually expect from these different sawing techniques is simply understanding that it all has to do with at what angle the saw crosses the growth rings.
If you would like to learn more about the products we offer and they styles of cuts we use, give us a call!
