Rift Quarter Sawn White Oak

Because quarter sawn and rift sawn planks are cut from one-quarter of the log’s girth, they can only be produced from the largest and highest quality timber.

Rift sawn is even more limited; the wider the rift, the lower the desirable rift characteristics that will likely be exhibited. So, by their nature, rift boards are more limited in their width than quarter or plain sawn.

Despite those limitations, because Vermont Plank Flooring maintains relationships with owners of only the finest woodlots and harvests only fully mature white oaks, we are still able to produce quarter sawn and rift sawn planks up to 12 inches wide and 12+ feet in length.

White oak maintains its relative durability regardless of whether it is milled flat, quarter, or rift sawn. It is among the hardest of hardwoods, ranking above cherry, birch, and ash on the Janka scale of hardness.

Additionally, white oak’s slow growth promotes a closed cellular structure, which provides a natural wear and water resistance.

And its propensity to accept most stains and finishes with open arms adds another layer of protection. As a bonus, quarter sawn and rift sawn have far greater dimensional stability than does flat sawn.

Oak is the most popular flooring choice in the United States for two reasons; beauty and versatility. White oak’s light brown hue and rich gray and gold tones are comfortable in any environment, from traditional to contemporary.

Its color is more uniform and its grain pattern less pronounced than its cousin red oak, so its presence is slightly less front and center.

If you’ve settled on white oak, selecting quarter sawn or rift sawn for your home over plain sawn white oak is akin to choosing a Monet over a Manet; it’s a matter of taste, but you are going to have a beautiful floor regardless.

With quarter sawn, the annual growth rings intersect the face of the board at a 60- to 90-degree angle, resulting in a fairly straight grain pattern and dramatic flecking.

In rift sawn, the annual growth rings typically lie at a 30- 60-degree angle on the face of the board, which produces a clean and subtle linear grain with no flecking. Both options are striking.

Add one of our popular finish options, such as English Chestnut or Farmhouse Grey, or work with our custom finish shop to create your own, and the result will be a dynamic floor that adds luxuriousness and value to your home.

If your flooring will be laid below grade, on concrete, or in a location where wetness is likely to be a factor, our engineered wide plank flooring provides a stable, moisture-resistant option.

Yes. While white oak and red oak are the most popular options, we can also mill quarter sawn and rift sawn in walnut, cherry, ash, and sapele, a tropical African species. You’ll likely receive planks in varying widths with these options, however, whereas white and red oak can be milled at a consistent width of your choosing.