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When shopping for Hardwood flooring, most homeowners focus on color, species, or finish. But one of the most important — and least understood — details is how the board was cut from the log. Terms like plain sawn, quarter sawn, and rift sawn are not marketing language. They describe the internal structure of the wood itself.
The way lumber is cut determines how the floor looks, how it moves with humidity, and how long it stays flat and stable. According to wood science principles recognized by the National Hardwood Lumber Association and installation performance standards recognized by the National Wood Flooring Association, grain orientation plays a major role in dimensional movement.
In simple terms: the cut of the wood affects both beauty and behavior.
This guide explains each sawing method in clear language so you can confidently choose the right floor for your home.
A tree grows in rings. Every hardwood plank contains those rings, and how they sit inside the board determines how the board reacts to moisture changes.
Wood expands mostly across the rings, not along their length. That means boards cut in different orientations move differently through seasonal humidity changes.
This is why two Oak floors of the same species can perform very differently.
Plain sawn flooring is the most common hardwood flooring in homes today. The log is sliced straight across in parallel cuts, producing wide boards efficiently and economically.
This cut exposes the cathedral grain pattern — the flowing arches you often associate with Traditional oak floors.
Characteristics of plain sawn flooring:
Because the growth rings sit mostly horizontal within the board, plain sawn lumber expands and contracts the most. That does not mean it is bad flooring — it simply means the installation must follow moisture guidelines and allow proper expansion spacing.
Most residential flooring installed across North America is plain sawn because it balances cost, appearance, and performance.
Quarter sawn flooring comes from cutting the log into quarters and then slicing boards at an angle that keeps the growth rings mostly vertical.
This dramatically changes both appearance and performance.
Instead of cathedral patterns, you see straight grain lines and sometimes shimmering flecks, especially in white oak. Those flecks come from medullary rays — natural wood structures revealed only in this orientation.
Characteristics of quarter sawn flooring:
Because expansion happens across the rings and these rings stand nearly vertical, the board changes width far less. This makes quarter sawn flooring especially valuable in wide plank installations or climates with seasonal humidity swings.
Rift sawn flooring is cut at an even steeper angle so the rings remain extremely vertical and uniform. This removes the flecking seen in quarter sawn oak and produces the cleanest, straightest grain possible.
Characteristics of rift sawn flooring:
Because so much of the log becomes waste during milling, rift sawn flooring is rare and typically used in Contemporary or Modern homes where uniformity matters.
Each cut creates a completely different design personality.
Many homeowners unknowingly choose a floor style simply based on color when the grain pattern actually controls the visual character of the entire room.
Moisture changes cause Hardwood floors to expand and contract every season. This is normal and expected under nwfa performance standards.
The difference is how much movement occurs.
In dry winters, plain sawn floors show more gaps. In humid summers, they expand more. Quarter and rift sawn boards stay more consistent year-round.
Choosing the right cut depends on your home, not just taste.
Best uses for plain sawn:
Best uses for quarter sawn:
Best uses for rift sawn:
All properly manufactured hardwood flooring can last generations if maintained. Longevity depends more on wear layer thickness, finish, and maintenance than cut style.
However, stability affects appearance over time. Floors that move less show fewer seasonal gaps and less cupping, which homeowners often interpret as durability.
So while not technically harder, quarter and rift sawn floors often look newer longer because they stay flatter.
Price differences come from yield efficiency.
More waste means higher manufacturing cost, which becomes retail price.
Ask yourself three questions:
If appearance matters most, choose the grain you love. If stability matters most, lean toward quarter or rift sawn.
Plain sawn, quarter sawn, and rift sawn flooring are not quality levels — they are structural orientations inside the tree. Each produces a distinct look and performance profile.
Plain sawn offers traditional beauty and value. Quarter sawn balances elegance and stability. Rift sawn delivers modern consistency and maximum dimensional control.
Understanding this single detail helps you predict how a floor will look not only today, but years from now.
Before choosing your next hardwood floor, look beyond color and ask how the wood was cut. It is one of the smartest decisions you can make for a long-lasting, beautiful home.