Edge Grain vs Flat or Mixed Grain
Edge Grain vs Flat or Mixed Grain
Edge grain Douglas-fir also referred to as VG or vertical grain fir is the millwork industry standard for high end doors and windows and select millwork projects. Wide VG planks can only come from very large old growth Douglas-fir, their slow growth produces a tight growth ring pattern sought after by fine cabinet makers. VG fir must be carefully and selectively milled from the raw log to produce this cut, it requires an experienced sawyer, high quality logs and the appropriate sawmill to produce this cut.
As this picture of the end of a board shows the grain stands up vertically, this not only produces a very fine look but more importantly it stops warping as there is no direction or tendency for the planks to warp.
Flat or mixed grain boards are randomly sliced boards milled off the log in the most economical way possible. Wider boards will contain a mix of flat grain in the center with some vertical grain towards the edges; smaller logs can be used for this cut and are suitable for a variety of construction materials.
This picture of the end of the board shows the grain in a horizontal curved direction. This cut produces a more varied and figured look however it will not stay stable and will curve or cup with moisture and humidity fluctuations, it will want to be like the round log it once was. Also, the face closest to the center of the tree can occasionally delaminate between the shortest growth rings at the center of the log causing long slivers.
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