As you shop around for new Amish furniture, you may come across some manufactured with quarter-sawn oak. These are oftentimes considered high-end pieces that hold more value than traditional items. But what exactly is quarter-sawn furniture? If you’re interested in learning more about this premium craftsmanship and how its useful in the construction of Amish furniture, keep reading and we’ll reveal everything you need to know about quarter-sawn oak.
It’s important to note that quarter-sawn oak isn’t a specific type of wood, but it’s rather a method used for cutting wood. When wood is flat cut using a machine, the growth lines in the center of it typically run parallel. While this usually won’t cause any serious concern, carpenters and craftsman began to notice a higher-quality end result when the lumber was cut so that the growth lines ran perpendicular, which is essentially what quarter sawing is. Over the years, it’s become more and more popular for its ability to create durable and equally stylish furniture that trumps practically any other method.
To create quarter-sawn oak, an oak log is first cut into four separate quarters, and then each of those pieces are turned right-side up and cut once again down the axis. When it’s done right, the growth rings from the tree will run perpendicular to the face, which is the easiest way to identify quarter-sawn oak furniture. If you want to determine whether or not you have quarter-sawn oak furniture, take a close inspection of the face to identify the direction which the growth lines are running. If they are in fact running perpendicular, then you know the furniture was made using the quarter-sawn method.
There are a couple unique benefits to creating furniture using the quarter-sawn method, one of which is the increased resistance to moisture. All authentic hardwood furniture is susceptible to humidity and moisture, as it contains pores that absorb water in the air. Thankfully, however, quarter-sawn wood has proven to hold up better in humid conditions. If you live in a region with high-humidity levels year-round, you should consider purchasing quarter-sawn furniture for this reason alone.
Because quarter-sawn furniture is more resistant to moisture, it’s also less likely to warp. There’s nothing worse than purchasing a new piece of furniture only to find it warping as a result of too much humidity. While there’s always a chance of this happening when the conditions are right, quarter-sawn is more resistant to this.