{"id":17810,"date":"2021-10-07T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/?p=17810"},"modified":"2025-12-16T14:56:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T19:56:19","slug":"oak-vs-quarter-sawn-oak-for-wood-furniture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/oak-vs-quarter-sawn-oak-for-wood-furniture\/","title":{"rendered":"Oak vs. Quarter Sawn Oak for Wood Furniture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Oak wood <\/a>with its prominent wood grain, strength and durability is the most commonly used wood for solid wood furniture.  We\u2019re pitting oak woods against each other, specifically \u201cregular\u201d or \u201cplain sawn\u201d oak versus quarter sawn oak. Why? Because they\u2019re cut differently and that affects the look, stability, performance and cost. You\u2019ll have to decide which oak look is for you as we compare oak vs quarter sawn oak<\/a> for wood furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are many types of oak trees, the two main oak woods used to make oak furniture are white oak and red oak. Oak wood is light in color with white oak featuring medium tans and browns mixed with some yellow tones and red oak showcasing browns and whites with a pink hue.  Interestingly, red oak has lighter shades than white oak. DutchCrafters Amish furniture uses red oak for oak furniture and white oak for quarter sawn oak furniture<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Goshen Shaker Chairside Table <\/a>in quarter sawn oak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Let’s Talk Oak Wood Cuts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The most common cut for oak wood<\/a> is plain or flat sawn and is the least expensive way to go from oak tree log to usable oak lumber. Plain sawing involves cutting the log so that the growth rings of the tree intersect the face of the board at no larger than a 30 degree angle. The wood is cut parallel through the log. More of the log can be used with plain sawing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quarter sawn oak wood is born with a specific cutting method. Oak lumber is turned or rotated after each cut, and the growth rings intersect the face of the board at a 90 degree angle. The log is cut in quarters, then each quarter is turned and cut again. This is repeated until the right board size is reached.  These little turns have a dramatic effect on the oak lumber produced, the look of the growth rings and figuring, as well as the wood\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish 72″ Grant Sideboard<\/a> in quarter sawn oak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Quarter sawing makes for a straighter grain pattern not as thick as plain sawn oak as well as additional stability and resistance to warping and cupping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facts About Plain Sawn Oak Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Plain sawn oak wood is the most commonly used and least expensive wood for hard wood furniture. Plain sawn oak is strong and durable. The grain pattern is active\u2014with oak you will get a lot to look at in the wood. Plain sawing produces lumber that offers a timeless look and is supportive and ideal for wood furniture that will get a lot of use.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Amos Platform Bed Frame <\/a>in oak wood.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Plain Sawn Oak Pros<\/h2>\n\n\n\n