How the saw cut changes a white oak floor, and how to choose rift and quartered or plainsawn oak for Westfield and Summit homes.
Choosing white oak for a Union County home? Call Joe Avila at (908) 232-6600 or book a virtual consultation.
Westfield and Summit are full of Tudors, Colonials and shingle-style homes, many renovated with white oak floors. Once the species is chosen, the most important decision is the cut. The way a log is sawn changes how the grain looks and how the floor reads in a room. Joe Avila teaches an NWFA continuing-education course on wood flooring saw cuts, accredited for AIA and IDCEC, and the same principles guide our wide plank recommendations.
Plainsawn: Bold, Classic Grain
Plainsawn boards are cut straight through the log, so the face shows the broad, arching cathedral grain most people picture when they think of oak. It is warm, lively and traditional. In Short Hills we have installed plainsawn 3 by 24 inch herringbone, in Cresskill plainsawn 5 inch plank in WOCA Extra White, and in Alpine a plainsawn 6 by 36 inch chevron. Our American white oak comes 3/4 inch thick in widths from 3 to 12 inches.
Rift And Quartered: Straight, Calm Grain
Rift and quartered boards are cut across the growth rings, which gives a straight, linear grain with less movement in the figure. The look is quieter and more architectural, which is why designers often specify it for patterned floors. Our rift and quartersawn white oak is Quercus alba in a Select and Better grade, 3/4 inch thick in widths from 2-1/4 to 12 inches and random lengths from 1 to 8 feet, with wider boards on request.
Which Cut For Which Pattern
In herringbone and chevron, rift and quartered oak keeps the eye on the pattern, while plainsawn adds a second layer of movement inside each board. Both work. Our rift and quartered herringbone comes in widths from 2-1/4 to 6 inches, each in several lengths such as 3 by 24 or 5 by 30 inches. A Westfield project of ours used 3 by 24 inch herringbone, a classic size for a center-hall Colonial.
Want to compare cuts side by side? Book a virtual consultation with Joe Avila.
How Finishes Read On Each Cut
Rift and quartered oak takes oils, lyes and stains evenly, so pale finishes look clean and consistent. Plainsawn oak shows more variation through the same color, which can look richer under a warm oil. Our rift and quartered oak is supplied unfinished, or with custom on-site natural oil treatments on request, so color can be judged in your own light. See our custom color effects for the full range.
Our Work With Rift And Quartered Oak
Rift and quartered oak runs through many of our projects: a 4 by 24 inch herringbone in a Manhattan residence finished in WOCA lye and brown oil, Select rift and quartered 5 by 35 inch chevron over radiant heat in Greenwich, and Versailles panels in clear rift and quartered oak. Its stability and calm grain make it a natural partner for patterns. Explore the chevron collection for more.
Ready to choose your white oak? Speak with Joe Avila.
Quick Answers
What is the difference between plainsawn and rift and quartered oak?
Plainsawn shows broad cathedral grain; rift and quartered shows a straight, linear grain with a calmer look.
What grade is your rift and quartered white oak?
Select and Better American white oak, 3/4 inch thick in widths from 2-1/4 to 12 inches.
Which cut is better for herringbone?
Both work; rift and quartered keeps focus on the pattern, while plainsawn adds movement within each board.
Does Joe Avila teach about saw cuts?
Yes. He teaches an NWFA continuing-education course on saw cuts accredited for AIA and IDCEC.
Begin Your White Oak Floor With Joe Avila
Call (908) 232-6600, email joe@hugginsflooring.com, or book a virtual consultation. Explore herringbone, chevron, wide plank and parquet floors, or our sanding and refinishing and NWFA inspection services.
About The Author
Joe Avila is the founder of Huggins Wood Floor Specialist and leads New York City Wood Floors, a Huggins Wood Floor Specialist brand. He brings 26 years in wood flooring, is NWFA certified (CSI, CI, CWFI, CFS), and teaches AIA, IDCEC and ASID continuing-education courses. See his certifications.
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Contact New York City Wood Floors
Email: joe@hugginsflooring.com
Phone Number: 908-232-6600
Address: 406B West Broad Street, Westfield, NJ, 07090
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