Often copied and never equaled - this sentence rarely summed it up so well. The The natural grain of a tree is unique : To date, no manufacturer of laminate or vinyl flooring has convincingly imitated this decor. Plastic replicas of the wood look that some furniture producers stick on chipboard as foil or veneer appear even more inauthentic: these are furniture of inferior quality anyway.

The grain - characteristics of the tree

But what does wood grain actually mean? The grain is perhaps the most visually beautiful feature that solid wood has to offer. Also called “wood image”, the grain is the Image of the annual rings on a cut piece of wood. You can clearly see how a tree has grown with its branches. If the tree is sawn vertically - i.e. lengthwise - the rings appear parallel on the board. A horizontal cut is also very attractive: on so-called end grain Grains are visible as round annual rings. This variant can be found on some types of parquet or cutting boards: end grain is ideal for this not only because of its aesthetics, but also because of its hardness. That's why, for example, ours is exceedingly robust chopping block out of end grain manufactured.

Grain provides information about the type of wood

Each type of wood has its own, characteristic grain. In combination with the coloring typical of the variety, you can use the grain to identify the type of tree from which the wood comes. Basically, hardwoods such as oak, walnut or ash have narrower and finer lines than softwoods (e.g. spruce or pine) because of their slower growth.

The grain of maple & ash

The grain of maple is characterized by one wavy course of the lines while the wood has a very light color. Ash is also a very light wood, that is with its hair-fine, yellowish or white-reddish lines about a rather calm and even grain has.

The grain of oak

Oak wood points in addition to theirs dark annual ring parts a very contrasting and passionate grain on: This impressive wooden picture is particularly impressive Design furniture perfectly in scene and is also very popular with parquet floors. The wood can be Combine in a variety of ways because the grain is an eye-catcher that underlines the piece of furniture but does not steal the show.

The grain of old wood (oak)

Particularly individually The wooden image fails with old wood. The grain through knots and annual rings are accompanied by the signs of age: Depending on previous use Sunburned areas, inclusions, etc. are then visible. If desired, grooves or unevenness can be filled with epoxy resin. If you take e.g. B. black epoxy resin, the wood image appears through one portion extravagance even more dynamic.

The grain of walnut

Walnut wood has a pronounced beautiful and diverse grain . In general it is a very living wooden picture . The precious wood has a coloring large spectrum to offer: It ranges from light, reddish brown tones to black-brown shades. Depending on this, the grain can appear completely different. Depending on the wooden plank, the grain itself can run in c-shaped half rings and oval rings, or in fine, parallel lines.

Raised or smooth grain of solid wood

If you want the grain to be haptic, i.e. tangible, the craftsman can brush the wood. In doing so, it removes wood between the annual rings - because the wood in the gaps is softer than the annual rings themselves, so that corresponding elevations are created.

If the wooden surface is a velvety-smooth feel If the wood is to be preserved, the carpenter must ensure that the wood is always sanded in the direction of the grain. This is the only way he can be sure not to roughen the grain and to create a silky surface.

Grain and surface finishing of wood

The surface treatment of solid wood has a decisive influence on how the grain presents itself. And one thing can be said very clearly: painting is the natural beauty of the Wood grain not fair! Especially not if the wood is painted in color - then the grain will no longer be visible. With clear varnish it remains visible - but later darkens due to UV radiation.

The The most beautiful effects can be achieved through an oil treatment : With the use of natural oils, contrasts and colors can be enhanced. People are talking about this “Firing the Grain” . Fine, previously hidden lines become visible and the oil gives the wood a rich color.

If you prefer a more even appearance of wood or would rather have a light, calm wooden surface, you can do that with the right one wood oil achieve: An oil with white pigments, for example, gives the wood surface a calm and harmonious appearance and lightens the color of the Ho