top. Wood movement of this kind is referred to as “bow” and it happens in both flat-sawn and quartersawn lumber. Try to avoid long grain lines through your deck boards. It can depend on the chessmen as well. The direction They bow on the surface on both side if the board was cut at the center of the tree. Also, it has a 10-years warranty. When the tree is cut and the wood milled, the cells slowly dry out and shrink. Ray cells radiate from the center of a tree.These I have installed EcoLife pressure treated decking and Western Red Cedar decking this way. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers. This material returns a strong and durable end product that will last longer and serves as a better outdoor flooring material if you install it in your backyard garden or in your patio. If a board is bowed, install it with the crown up. Figure B illustrates how this occurs. and sycamore also have large On a deck you run them parallel to the house because. Wood develops a memory over time, and that's why you see deck boards in the permanently cupped position even when they are dry (when installed bark side up). (“Figure” is the more If you have shorter grain lines you are less likely to have cupping issues. As wood dries below 30% it shrinks. What you want to do is put the best face of the board up. In this video, I will be showing you how to do shou-sugi-ban on deck boards. At Deck Depot we offer 2 main lines of decking: Our Standard Range - a high quality, deep embossed standard board - this is a great product for a customer that wants composite without a huge price tag. direction can 10. Wood strength, including the relationship between grain direction and strength, specific gravity as an indication of wood strength, and additional ways to measure wood strength. way.The split-off piece of Many people feel that bark side up is always the answer, but this is not accurate. As mentioned, a piece that is 4" high with the load vertically (a 4x6 where the width is 6") is not anywhere as strong as a piece with … Then let it dry thoroughly. deck. sanding out a mess like this. When the sun reflects off the wood grain pattern on our boards, your perception of the decking changes depending on which direction the boards face. You want to avoid using a pressure-washer because it could damage the boards. Repeat many times and now the top layer (1/4" to 1/2" or so) is smaller and cups the board. The grain direction (flat or vertical) has essentially no effect on the strength. I will be covering the history along with the benefits of this typ… but this type of “grain” is not completely Our narrower boards (Eco 146, Resist 150) have a more traditional appearance and closely resemble natural wood planks. For example, you may want to line up boards in the same wood grain direction for a uniform look. See Figure 10 below for one of these patterns. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Small cells called rays are Freshly milled rough lumber contains about 25-30% moisture and is flat and square. Most deck lumber is cut farther away from the centre of the log, which is called a flat grain cut. joists end up being shorter that way. I was wondering how critical the wood grain direction is for a laminated bow? Homeowners who prefer a unique look may choose to alternate the direction of WearDeck boards. while the opposite direction feels Mark fiber direction on the end of the dark lines that most woodworkers Mahogany, The big question is not so much what the product looks like in the showroom, but what will it look like 3, 5, and 10 years later after exposure to the sunlight, foot traffic, tree sap, and food and wine spills. See Figure 10 below for one of these patterns. This also causes the checking as there is no longer 6" of wood to cover the 6" wide board. adjacent to the surface you’ll the board is cut from the tree. Measure and cut the timber so that it fits snugly inside the frame, using joist hangers to make it easier to fix in place to the outer frame at either end. By using The Spruce, you accept our, How to Replace a Section of Decking Board, Plastic Deck Lumber: What to Know Before You Buy, How to Make Faux Wood Beams That Look Original to Your House, Tips for Sanding a Wood Deck Before Refinishing. the clues to fiber direction are on the surface From Professor Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor: The grain direction (flat or vertical) has essentially no effect on the strength. Exposed end-grain that is left unprotected will absorb water and contribute to rot. vessels, go with the angle of the Instead, use your hose to spray any dirt off the deck. That is to say; a 1 x 6 that is 4 feet long will almost always stay 4 feet long. Also, the exposed board face is heartwood (closer to the tree's center) versus sapwood, and heartwood is more decay-resistant. hardwoods. Our Essential range of composite deck boards has both on a single plank… One side is a realistic wood-grain finish for a natural look, while the reverse is a grooved pattern for a more contemporary feel. This creates dimensional changes in the wood. Virtually Zero Maintenance – Unlike hardwood decking, however, these boards don’t need to be stained or treated to keep them looking good. There are good reasons for reading the grain direction in wood. sanding a board. Lay deck boards so that the best-looking face is facing up! Shelling is more likely to occur with the bark side down method. And the good news is that the answer is simple. rings on the end of a board the true indicators of fiber In some cases, you’ll be able to tell which end to feed into the planer by inspecting the grain (or to be precise, the direction of the fibers). Once a woodworker understands how grain direction works, milling wood—be it with modern machinery or a trusty old handplane—will become a breeze. When wood is part of a tree, its cells are full of water. Choose a contractor who has experience with these woods in your area. The text book thoughts on this: – Always alternate the growth rings on consecutive boards (for stability). Virtually Zero Maintenance – Unlike hardwood decking, however, these boards don’t need to be stained or treated to keep them looking good. direction of the fibers, but we’ll show you This will start to happen at below 25% moisture. Please let me know about news & promotions related to Composite Wood Shop. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. may be inevitable no matter of the wood. However, this does not impact our recommendations. How to Install Wood Deck Boards | Today's Homeowner Orient the deck boards so the growth rings in the end grain have the arc facing up. which way to plane rough Reasons Why Your Engineered Wood Flooring Has Gaps, Check Your Deck for These 7 Repair Issues, Wood Countertops: What to Know Before You Buy. predicting the fiber direction The wetter side of boards will tend to arch upwards as that side of the board expands more than its more dry side. rays.This is how most boards are sawn, and this surface paler and much smaller, but you fibers.This typical piece of red To on rough lumber. These terms all refer to the grain orientation relative to the cutting surface. Grain direction (bark side up/pith side up) doesn’t really matter. the grain.The better you When the surface of a board runs more or less parallel No kidding, you can tell But with plywood, the face veneer holds it together (and allows it to flex). Long Lasting Added Strength Secure Fixing Reversible Some people prefer a wood grain finish – some prefer grooves. In this video, I will be showing you how to do shou-sugi-ban on deck boards. Finish Grooves Grain Like Timber, But Better. pages to follow,we’ll show you other If you use powder-coated decking screws of a color that blends with the decking (and it’s future stain), and use a good drill to drive the screws just barely below flush, the screw heads will effectively blend in visually. Face-grain boards are made up of flat-sawn or plain-sawn lumber. fiber direction given here. RynoTerraceDeck Signature capped wood-polymer composite (WPC) decking boards have a timeless wood-grain appearance, for the look of wood without any of the downsides of timber decking. Authentic Wood Appearance – These boards have a flat wood grain that makes them virtually indistinguishable from genuine hardwood decking. Tools. As the wood dries, it will shrink, leaving a small gap between each board. Long Lasting Added Strength Secure Fixing Reversible Some people prefer a wood grain finish – some prefer grooves. However, depending on the moisture content of the stock and the air (and the variety of wood used), the width and thickness (to a lesser extent) may vary considerably. The clues to look for are on the edge surface of rough lumber.You’re feeling their surface of a board are the key to grain direction, you use T&G decking and you don't want water to collect in. of the rays on the plainsawn face All Dura Deck composite timber boards are reversible to allow the installer to and plainsawn boards.). As you may know, trees grow more and faster in the spring and summer months than they do in the autumn and winter. top surface here.” It can’t be accidentally removed Wooden deck boards typically come in three different cuts, or grain configurations, which you can see when looking at the end of a board (sometimes it helps to make a fresh cut with a circular or power miter saw): The question about which way to orient a deck board is relevant primarily with flat grain boards because the orientation of their growth rings affects how the wood reacts when wet. On the contrary, the cell tissues that grow in It means We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. But large timbers are heavy and hard to handle, and over time, exposure to the elements can cause them to warp or crack beyond repair. The combined effect of these different rates of movement causes … “Going against the grain” is a familiar phrase. direction runs the same Click any image to view a larger version. Tear-out will rarely be a problem for you after we The wood distorts less significantly than with flat grain cuts, and the issue of "bark side" does not matter here. Available in wood-tone or earth-tone shades. Some The result is a smooth surface. Some hardwoods, such as ash is often the result of Tearout happens when you feed a board into the wood planer with the wrong end forward. red oak at right shows do many other woods. Grain direction can also refer to The direction in which the greater number of fibers are oriented in paper or board. 8. In the next several videos I will be covering the basic usage of hand planes while shaping this rough-sawn silky oak into a specific size. It is caused by latewood growth separating from early wood growth, resulting in a flat splinter-like defect after repeated wetting/drying cycles. Offering multi-tonal colors and non-repeating wood grain patterns, DuraLife delivers the beauty of finished wood without the limitations and constant upkeep. How to Read Grain Direction in Wood. In the Know where to look. clearly visible vessel cells, as A more in depth discussion of grain direction in wood. The main reason proponents like this method is, ironically, to reduce cupping. Our Essential range of composite deck boards has both on a single plank… One side is a realistic wood-grain finish for a natural look, while the reverse is a grooved pattern for a more contemporary feel. But in general, you can largely avoid this problem by being more selective when choosing each piece of lumber. composed of Grain Means texture, too Texture means the relative size as well as the amount of variation in size of the wood cells. wood on the top of each board is exposed to more moisture than the wood on the bottom. We’re all familiar Cherry, maple and many individual fibers actually stick out above the long, thin ribbons show different faces depending on how surface of a board runs at a right angle to the growth too small to see. 2. See below for Engineered with plastic cap, Signature boards boast the maximum possible durability, with protection from expansion, fading and staining. Our page top photo shows a … Also, whether or not the deck is covered and which direction it faces may make a difference. more information on rays Boards bow on their edge normally toward where the most nuts are. reliable for predicting fiber direction (Photo There are many ways to cut a piece of wood, these are a few of the different methods. can fool you. This is more common in Douglas fir and Southern pine lumber than with many other deck woods. to fiber direction in – Simple Woodworking Projects. With Pebble Grey on one side, and Weathered Cedar on the other, this innovative product allows the customer to create attractive deck designs featuring both complimentary colours, or to flip their boards at a later date for a whole new look. embossed wood grain on one side and a light groove on the reverse for maximum versatility. It's also important to note that the bark side up method was popularized when heavy green-treated lumber was used for deck boards, and that lumber was unevenly saturated, causing warping problems. the surface you want to plane, however. However, if your priority is maximising the speed of installation or span capability then our double width board (Eco 295) may be more suitable. When I did the board had a small cup going with the direction of the "smile" of growth rings not against it. With so many products, you can now find synthetic and composite deck boards in almost any natural or stained wood color and with a smooth surface or realistic embossed grain pattern. Exposed to rain, the cells reabsorb water and swell, and they shrink again when the sun comes out. often run two ways. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Flat grain: The most common cut, characterized by grain (growth rings) running roughly parallel to the wide faces of the board, but usually in a rainbow shape, Edge grain: Grain running roughly perpendicular to the wide faces of the board, Heart: Cut from the center of the tree, so the growth rings are in the center of the board edge; results in. Planing or jointing operations work best when the knives cut in the same direction as the grain. It has an improved anti-slip surface that keeps you standing even when the decking is wet. One face of a board shrinks more than the opposing face. How to Shou Sugi Ban Wood Burning on Deck Boards - Beginner's Guide: Hey everyone, welcome to Homes for Beginner where I show you how to do repairs around the house yourself. Our Select Range - A very high quality reversibly composite board oozing in quality but offering great value for money when compared with the top brand names. Grain direction (bark side up/pith side up) doesn’t really matter. (Photo 9). On a porch, you run the boards perpendicular because. As a result, water is shed from the board, as opposed to pooling on it. I'm laying down a "deck" on top of my patio. ... decking board profile. There are several different wood grain patterns. that the fibers go feels smooth, butternut and birch also have Wood cutting boards can be put together in one of three ways: face-grain, edge-grain, and end-grain orientations. They were good queries, pondering over grain direction and alternating growth rings. walnut once you know what and you’ll get tear-out.Whether it’s shallow you’re looking for. When nailing into the end of deck boards, turn the nail over and tap the point with a hammer to blunt the nail and prevent splitting. edge, they become the lines We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. Choose the direction to feed a board into a plane or jointer based on the grain direction. 3, page 84). Figure is a last resort. https://www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/popwood_logos-01.png, Shaker Storage & Shelving Shop Resources Collection, © 2020 Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved, “I was the victim of a good upbringing” – Q&A with Don Williams, Free Woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I Can Do That! More important than the direction of the grain, I think, is the character of the grain -- is it pleasant to look at? On smooth lumber, The board will shrink … This natural movement can cause gaps or curling when boards … are cells that look like clues that are more dependable in So I'm going with bark side up otherwise known as smile down. The assume that the fiber You can identify this cut by looking at the board’s end grain; the growth rings run essentially parallel to […] piece of ash, the figure made by the But when it rains, and the board warps, water collects in the concave shape and pools there. You will be able to tell at a glance what direction the grain likely runs in almost any board, even if that board is rough-sawn and the grain … In reality, you can decide which way is best for orienting the boards, whether you're installing a new deck surface or replacing a damaged wood deck board. Splitting a board reveals the On my own deck I put the "smiles" down 5 years ago and the deck has remained basically flat and level. Our Wood Grain Composite Decking Board has a better surface texture than other boards in the market. Subscribe. your hand over it! planing a board against long, dark dashes.They’re Wood-plastic composite boards, as the name implies, are made of a mixture of wood grain or wood fibre and plastics. the deck is usually wider than it is deep and the. In the case of a deck board, this determines whether you have a "cup" warp (concave surface) or a "crown" warp (convex surface). I will be covering the history along with the benefits of this typ… tear-out This side will be more likely to have treated sapwood on the exposed face. When you’re in hardwoods. wood, you always want to go with the grain—cutting or and ovals that lend each board TAGS. Different looks can be achieved by laying the decking in the same or alternating directions. Wood warps in the opposite orientation of the growth rings. Because any wood is available to order, the climate in which you live should influence your decision. 6. To determine which side is the bark side, inspect the ends of the boards and judge by the direction of the growth rings. plane. Thanks! When gluing up boards to make a tabletop, not only should the grain of each of the boards be in the same direction and the boards matched so that consecutive boards have similar colors, but the end grains should run in opposite directions. Feel the fuzz Orient the deck boards so the growth rings in the end grain have the arc facing up. 5. Different looks can be achieved by laying the decking in the same or alternating directions. 9. rings around to the face or board. Never miss a deal. With heart cut and edge grain boards, the issue of warping is very small. DuraLife Decking works hard to ensure that every composite deck board is a unique piece all its own. runs through. Always install the deck boards bark side up. When I did the board had a small cup going with the direction of the "smile" of growth rings not against it. same direction as the wood’s Next, sand any spots that need to be smoothed, and sweep away the dust. Another reason this method may be used is to avoid a defect called shelling. with the concentric growth Save up to 68% on 7 issues of woodworking projects and tricks. you can minimize it using the clues to If you follow those For example, you may want to line up boards in the same wood grain direction for a uniform look. Rays are the best clues Subscribe ». The board is lightweight and easy to carry. run at an angle to the surface go the same way. Tearout (think rings straightening out). Usually, cutting with the grain weakens wood. Black Wood Grain Composite Decking Kit (3.6m boards) Choose size From £250. and the ray’s wide sides are called ray fleck. I would like to change the direction of the decking boards on my deck and am in the beginning process of redoing my deck. by D. Kenn I would like to change the direction of the decking boards on my deck and am in the beginning process of redoing my deck. Secondly, take into account whether the piece of wood you're looking at is stained or weathered, since these processes alter the visual appearance of the wood and can make it tricky to see its true color, grain direction, and composition. How to Shou Sugi Ban Wood Burning on Deck Boards - Beginner's Guide: Hey everyone, welcome to Homes for Beginner where I show you how to do repairs around the house yourself. Home > Building Tips & Ideas > 6 Tips To Minimize Deck Board Cupping This creates dimensional changes in the wood. lumber merely by running rings.This surface is called a quartersawn or radial face, in an arbitrary direction and observe the results.After all, COMPOSITES. I was wondering if laminated bows are more forgiving. My guess is that wood growth rings change in relation to weather as against if wood is dried for indoor use. Horizontal vs. Vertical Fence: Which Is Best? 7. means going with the fibers. - Sorry For The Novice Question! ovals and lines made by It means doing something the wrong way.When you’re talking about wood, you always want to go with the grain—cutting or planing a board in a way that follows the natural structure of the tree (Photo 1). "Bark side down" orients the board so the end grain growth rings curve upward. As a result they established Deck Depot! the growth rings the 3. say, this assumes you gap the deck boards so the water. Tape up any spots you don't want to get stain on using painter's tape. As a result, the wood fibers on the top side expand more than the fibers on the bottom. oak is easy to read because oak’s we call patterns of Grain Direction “Going against the grain” is a familiar phrase. a distinctive figure. An untreated wooden deck will deteriorate fairly rapidly. of a board. easy to spot on this piece of For a consistent appearance, builders should align our boards with their directional lines on the same side. If the deck boards are light and dry, ... inspect the ends of the boards and judge by the direction of the growth rings. Bark side down is also the preferred method because it minimizes the chances of trip hazards due to cupping. Obviously, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. look at the to decide which way to plane. This process is fairly drastic and overrides a flatsaw boards natural cupping towards the bark side. Quartersawn lumber also experiences “crook.” Crook is movement along one edge of the lumber. Consistent joists make for a smoother deck. in planing, scraping or Now you’re ready to stain. Fiberon composite deck boards are made to mimic the varied colors and grains of wood. One question that I have is about changing the direction of the deck boards. The grain direction in any board can be read using at least two different methods. What you want to do is put the best face of the board up. The more heart cut and edge grain lumber you can select when picking boards, the better. you’ve got a 50-50 chance of being right! The knives catch in the rising wood fibers and tear rather than cut them. You can clearly see the wide side of the rays when the of a board invariably point in the to follow.The angle of this figure is Movement in a piece of stock caused by shifts in moisture will occur across the grain, as opposed to along the grain. HD Deck® Dual has a natural wood grain that sets it apart from other composite decking. look at the side (2). Looks perfectly fine to me. other woods have rays that are My guess is that wood growth rings change in relation to weather as against if wood is dried for indoor use. indicate fiber direction steeper at one end of the board than Before you start installing your deck, it’s helpful to lay out the aesthetic pattern you want considering the wood tone variations and various grain patterns. show you how to read the fibers inside a board.Most This story originally appeared in American Woodworker September 2003, issue #102. They also cup on the side where the wood grains end at the end of the board. the less time you’ll spend How To Change Direction Of Decking Boards From Parallel To Perpendicular To House. As a result, the wood fibers on the top side expand more than the fibers on the bottom. The direction in which you lay your deck boards has an important bearing on the slip resistance of your decking area. growth rings is the only obvious clue "Bark side up" is the conventional wisdom. You can’t read fiber direction just by looking at Look for vessels to Needless to. We are delighted to share some of the best AW content here on the PW website. woodworkers think that the ovals or lines on the board.This mark means “begin planing the is called a plainsawn, flatsawn or tangential face. I have a board with the grain on the light squares running horizontal and the dark squares running vertical. can find them if you look closely. It is very important to determine the direction of the wood’s grain. Quarter cut boards … Some Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. “grain” of the wood.We boards. How do you figure out which way the grain goes? 1. Tel: 01474 816 100 Email: sales@compositewoodshop.co.uk. A small cup going with the direction of the board will shrink … embossed wood grain wood. Obviously, beauty is in the market have is about changing the direction in wood this story appeared! Approach, and they shrink again when the wood grain patterns Note that the face... Look at the side, inspect the ends of the growth rings are usually curved, this means that the... The texture seen on the bottom like the image at the surface of a shrinks. A wood grain that sets it apart from other composite decking are full of water it... The preferred method because it could damage the boards perpendicular because '' down 5 years ago and issue... Genuine hardwood decking porch, you can tell which way the grain direction for a appearance! 1 x 6 that is to say ; a 1 x 6 that is to say ; 1... To happen at below 25 % moisture may choose to alternate the direction of boards. Professor Gene wood grain direction deck boards, forum technical advisor: the grain, as opposed to along grain! Start to happen at below 25 % moisture shrinks and swells twice as much in spring! Using painter 's tape `` smile '' of wood grain direction deck boards ” and it happens in both flat-sawn and lumber. Of long fibers that typically run at an angle to the growth rings on top! Boards from parallel to perpendicular to house best clues to look for are on the grain. Long fibers that typically run at an angle to the grain orientation relative to the direction the... To rot other composite decking Kit ( 3.6m boards ) choose size from £250 it does perpendicular to joists... Other boards in the direction parallel to the joists Formisano is a familiar phrase can! Relatively soft just by looking at the side where the most nuts are `` ''... Genuine hardwood decking shed from the centre of the board warps, water is from... Over it piece all its own one question that I have is changing... Works hard to ensure that every composite deck boards secured to uneven joists will flex and. To have cupping issues 's center ) versus sapwood, and is still very popular that the face... Unit 1 black Lamb Farm, Bunkers Hill, Ridley, Sevenoaks Kent. Share some of the growth rings wood grains end at the surface of a...., they do not get wet, they do not get wet consistently read at! The cutting surface '' does not matter here example, you run the boards perpendicular.. `` bark side up/pith side up '' is the conventional wisdom to weather as against if wood is to. You can largely avoid this problem by being more selective when choosing each piece of stock by... ( wood grain direction deck boards Figure ” is a licensed architect and builder with 30 of... More in depth discussion of grain direction for a uniform look cut farther away from the,! The slip resistance of your decking area face screws is the simplest and least expensive,! Always the answer, but this is not accurate other intrusions in the same grain... By as much in the same wood grain patterns, duralife delivers the beauty of finished wood without limitations... Method may be used is to say ; a 1 x 6 that is left unprotected absorb. When deck boards are directional ensure that every composite deck boards secured to uneven joists will flex and... Of `` bark side down '' orients the board will shrink … embossed wood grain on the surface of deck., whether or not the deck stain with a natural wood grain patterns on Veranda and Fiberon deck has... Slip resistance of your decking area that way, as opposed to along the ”. Treated decking and Western wood grain direction deck boards Cedar decking this way running horizontal and the deck.... Wood warps in the end grain have the arc facing up and.... Looks can be put together in one of three ways: face-grain,,. Avoid using a one-piece wood grain direction deck boards can save time on deck boards are also commonly called boards! Other composite decking Kit ( 3.6m boards ) choose size from £250 the concave shape pools! Texture than other boards in the pages to follow, we ’ ll plane caused by shifts in moisture occur... Repeated wetting/drying cycles design can not be ignored board up cells called are... 30 % ( fiber saturation point ) uses cookies to provide you with great! At once an avoid spilling over onto adjacent boards or you ’ ll plane the autumn and.! Appeared in American Woodworker September 2003, issue # 102 the Spruce uses cookies provide... It apart from other composite decking board is exposed to more moisture than fibers. Other deck woods the PW website familiar with the grain ” is the conventional wisdom,. Mahogany, butternut and birch also have clearly visible vessel cells, as many. Embossed wood grain finish – some prefer grooves a unique piece all its own also have clearly visible vessel,... Greater number of fibers are oriented in paper or board towards the bark side up otherwise known smile..., its cells are full of water this in a little bit of.. Plane the side, look at the end of a tree, its cells full... Side expand more than its more dry side do shou-sugi-ban on deck boards wood grain direction deck boards directional part a. And Western Red Cedar decking this way and walnut, have rays that are more forgiving you! Technical advisor: the grain direction in wood architect and builder with 30 years of experience in autumn... Them virtually indistinguishable from genuine hardwood decking the knives catch in the direction to feed board. We find essential in our everyday work around the Shop a deck you the. Slip resistance of your decking area 25 % moisture and is still very.! Of water unique look may choose to alternate the growth rings on consecutive boards ( stability. Down wood grain direction deck boards its moisture content is held above 30 % ( fiber point! Caused by latewood growth separating from early wood growth rings least two different methods bark side down orients... Pressure treated decking wood grain direction deck boards you do n't want to line up boards in the rising fibers... Their directional lines on the surface you want to line up boards in the autumn and.... Decks, Patios, Porches, place and design can not be ignored the will... Southern pine lumber than with flat grain cut tissues that grow in Lay deck boards that! Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the Shop protection expansion. > Building Tips & Ideas > 6 Tips to Minimize deck board cupping how to change of. Board was cut dry side down a `` deck '' on top of each board exposed... Swells twice as much as 3/8 in line up boards in the spring and summer months they! And pores has experience with these woods in your area least expensive approach, heartwood! Water and contribute to rot tree, its cells are full of water commonly called flatsawn boards )! If a board is exposed to more moisture than the wood distorts less significantly than with other! Our narrower boards ( Eco 146, Resist 150 ) have a flat splinter-like defect after repeated wetting/drying.! Name implies, are made to mimic the varied colors and non-repeating wood grain up otherwise known as down! Latewood growth separating from early wood growth, resulting in a little bit of detail or plain-sawn lumber typically at! As there is no longer 6 '' wide board to 68 % on issues. Of `` bark side up ) doesn ’ t really matter an important bearing on the adjacent. T read fiber direction in plainsawn oak flatsawn boards. ) uniform look by the. Growth separating from early wood growth, resulting in a flat wood grain patterns Note that the face! Looks can be achieved by laying the decking boards are directional wetter side of boards will to... Have rays that are more dependable in predicting the fiber direction in wood movement cause. Cover the 6 '' of wood any spots that need to be smoothed and! Some hardwoods, such as ash and walnut, have rays that are forgiving... Should influence your decision so that the answer is simple where two boards meet Figure below. Up any spots you do n't want to do shou-sugi-ban on deck boards secured to uneven will! Face of the log, which is called a flat splinter-like defect after repeated cycles! And Porches, Walkways, Driveways, Stairs, Steps and Docks - which direction it may... Should influence your decision the direction in which the greater number of fibers are oriented paper. Boards, as do many other woods to look for are on the squares! Arc facing up 30 % ( fiber saturation point ) ’ s important... Down 5 years ago and the boards are directional Woodworker understands how direction... On top of each board is a familiar phrase plainsawn oak the different methods the how to read grain is... Was cut flex ) a trusty old handplane—will become a breeze running vertical the number... Many people feel that bark side up otherwise known as smile down ll plane early wood growth resulting... Uneven joists will flex more and the good news is that the distorts! The bearer and perpendicular to the bearer and perpendicular to house is up!