A New Type of Wood Floor
J.   HUGO  KRAEMER
Department of Forestry and Conservation
Purdue University, Agricultural Experiment Station
Lafayette, Indiana
One of the principal problems of the lumber industry is the utiliza¬
tion of so-called "waste wood" which occurs during the process of
lumber manufacture. Slab wood is one of the main forms of this waste
and it represents a loss from the standpoint of conservation of raw
material as well as a financial loss to the sawmill business. Thus far
the principal use for slab wood has been as fuel burned at the mills or
sold locally.
A second problem is that of finding market outlets for the lower
grades of lumber produced. As hardwood logs decrease in quality, the
proportionate volumn of low grade lumber increases, so the problem of
its profitable disposal is becoming increasingly important.
The purpose of the research project was to develop a product in
the laboratory which would involve the conversion of low value material
such as slab wood and low grade lumber into a high value product by
the employment of simple and economical methods.
Wood is in general considerably harder and more resistant to
abrasion on the cross-section or end surface than on the sides (radial
or tangential surfaces.) In addition, the end surface presents a pattern
of growth rings and rays which, with a little arrangement of the pieces,
can be made to present a unique and pleasing appearance which is
markedly different from that of ordinary hardwood flooring.
The use of small wood blocks in such a way that the bearing surface
is the end grain, or cross-section, is by itself neither a new nor an
original idea. One patent was issued in this country as early as 1871
for a (then) new type of street paving made of vertical-grained wood
blocks. Since then, a number of patents have been issued for products
to be made of vertical-grained blocks joined by various means. Some
of the constructions are very ingenious while others are merely complex,
but most would be expensive to produce because of the many operations
involved. Simplicity and economy of operations were considered basic
requirements in this project.
Although any of the denser hardwoods could have been used, it was
decided to try red oak, Quercus borealis var. maxima Ashe since it is
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