This adds to the floor's stability, as the various grain directions help the floor resist the expansion and contraction that occurs when temperatures change. (industrystandarddesign.com)
The Molen table uses traditional, joinery techniques — legs dovetailed in the table top, the panels integrated with breadboard tenons allowing the solid timber to expand and contract, and mortises and tenons for the underlying rails — to provide interest by changes in grain direction and exposing end grain.» (treehugger.com)
The boards incorporate the full range of log's characteristics resulting in a unique mix of clear & natural grades with grain direction varying from plain sawn to rift & Quarter Sawn. (alleghenymountainhardwoodflooring.com)