I have searched the database and have not come up with enough info. to make an educated decision. I am going to have a wide plank white oak floor milled for me by a local company. I am told that stress relief cuts on the underside are not necessary. I always thought they were to relieve the pressure in the wood to cup. Does anyone have any opinions on the subject? Also, it may sound crazy, but is there a proper way to randomly lay a floor containing 4” – 14 ” boards? I appreciate any and all comments.
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I'll suggest that the 'proper way to lay flooring, 4" - 14" ', would be to rip the 14" into 8" and 6" boards and lay the floor out of three widths of boards - I think you'll have a hard time achieving a pleasing effect out of material that varies in width by 10" - - lay the oak heart up (look at the end grain to determine) over a subfloor with felt paper and relief shouldn't be necessary - -
here's a picture of a picture illustrating what I am refering to when I say ' heart up' - the shrinkage differential between the different orientation of grain results in cupping, of which this is an extreme example - - it's desirable to have the center try to lift, rather than the edges -
That first board is remarkable similar to some 2x stock I've seen at HD. Let the thunder crack and the waves roar.
We're going on.
an invaluable trim board in just the right application - or perhaps framing for your 'Mobius' addition -
I'd have a hard time accepting that caption, that it's all due to shrinkage. There had to be a little tension coming loose in that thing too..
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are." --Marcus Aurelius
I agree - - the book is 'The Green Wood House' - Larry Hackenberg - very 1970's ("How to Build and Own a Beautiful, Inexpensive House") - good information, but rather loose with terminology/cause&effect - "cupping, which is caused by the appearance of end grain and flat grain within a single board..." - - I wonder what the rough-sawn wonders pictured in the book look like now -
I got a couple 10ft PT 2x6's that look like that. Maybe boat material:) Or maybe I should talk to the great esoteric one Cloudhidden.
Let the thunder crack and the waves roar.
We're going on.
Edited 11/6/2002 6:54:03 PM ET by rez
Just to clarify, I don't have only 4" and 14" boards, I have 4's, 6's, 8's. 10's and 12's. I meant it as 4's through 14'2. But if I did only have 4's and 14's, I would certainly follow eveyones advice and rip them down.
Getting back to that picture, call me an idiot, but to me, I could see the damage but could still not figure what heart up means. Would I want the left side of that board up or the right? Thanks in advance.
Look at the end grain of each board. See which way the rings curve.
aIt's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I have to agree with David D about ripping the boards. 14" boards like I have in my house look awesome but to mix it with 4" boards I think won't be all that pleasant looking in my opinion. Its too much variation, but I spose thats just personal opinion. LAy them out and see what you think before doing anything.
Be well
Namaste'
Andy
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM