Question

Plain, quartersawn, and rift-sawn hardwood boards each have a distinctive look. They also respond differently to changes in relative humidity. We know that hardwoods respond by exchanging moisture with their environment. We also know that hardwoods are more dimensionally stable across the grain. Can you predict which of the three types of sawn boards (Plain, quartersawn, and rift-sawn) will expand and contract the least with changes in relative humidity?

Answer

Quartersawn hardwood boards, which have a more vertical grain pattern, expand and contract less than plain or rift-sawn hardwood boards. Some plain sawn hardwood boards can expand or contract as much as 1/8 inch per foot of width (one percent) with a 20 percent change in relative humidity.