Wood Species - Beech

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BEECH
fagus grandifolia

Appearance
Color: In yellow birch (B. alleghaniensis), sapwood is creamy yellow or pale white; heartwood is light reddish brown tinged with red. In sweet birch (B. lenta), sapwood is light colored and heartwood is dark brown tinged with red.

Grain: Medium figuring, straight, closed grain, even texture. Occasional curly grain or wavy figure in some boards.

Variations within species and grades: Yellow birch, sweet birch, paper birch. Paper birch (B.papyrifera) is softer and lower in weight and strength than yellow or sweet birch. However, yellow birch is most commonly used for flooring. Boards can vary greatly in grain and color.

Properties
Side Hardness/Janka:1260 (yellow); 2% softer than Northern red oak.

Dimentional Stability: Average (change coefficient .00338; 8% more stable than red oak).

Durability: Hard and stiff; very strong, with excellent shock resistance.

Workability:
Sawing/Machining:Difficult to work with hand tools, but good machining qualities.

Sanding:Sands satisfactorily.

Nailing:Excellent holding ability.

Finishing:No known problems.

Cost (relative to plainsawn select red oak)
Multiplier: 1.30

Availability
Moderately available.

From The National Wood Flooring Association's "Wood Species Used in Wood Flooring" information booklet.

Make sure to check our current specials and promotions on flooring installation, refinishing and restoration. Full list of services offered by Gerber Hardwood Flooring can be viewed here. Information about the company and location is available on this page.

If you have questions about right flooring choices for your decor, please visit our Interior Decorating page to get answers. To book a FREE ESTIMATE within Central Ontario area, please call us at: 705-721-1082.

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