Wood End Grain floor and tabletops



Posted: Sunday, April 15, 2007

by
studiok

What is end grain?



The answer is very simple-the cross cut of a wood block. It has been used for centuries as one of the oldest kinds of wood floors and countertops.

When Europeans first came to the USA they used this type cut for the floors of their houses. There still are houses that have this floor and the floor is still in a very good condition. Except for the houses, the end grain is also used to manufacture heavy duty floors for heavy machines. Of course, for the machine floors, a different thickness is used. The thickness runs from ½ inch to 1-1/2 inch for houses, and from 3 inches and more for machine floors.

This is the stronger cut for all types of woods. Why--because this is the natural position of the tree, and because the grains of the wood make it more flexible. Mother Nature took care of the tree in the way it grew and went up. If a floor or a table top is using the end grain, a small surface can withhold a lot of weight. It is not only a strong position, it is a very beautiful one too. When you stain any kind of wood that has been cross cut you get a dramatic finish. A mahogany or a walnut finish looks very effective on the cross cut grain.

Here are some pictures:







Elia Kurktchiev

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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Jim from Pa. 3 years 329 days ago.
I would like to see pictures of crosscut floors
» left by 3 years 329 days ago.
I have just uploaded several pictures from Elmwood reclaimed timber. Ilia, Studio K
» left by SB
from New Mexico 3 years 242 days ago.
I would like to know what was used to glue the wood pieces together. it looks like cement. 
» left by Ilia Kurktchiev 3 years 241 days ago.
2 fans.
No, it's not cement. It is saw dust mixed with hide glue or lacquer/varnish. Originally the floors were finished with regular linseed oil or varnish.
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