Vermont Timber Works
36 Fairbanks Road
N. Springfield, VT 05150
(802) 886-1917
(802) 886-6188 Fax
 
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Wood Defects
Examples of Shake & Checking
 

 

Timber is a natural product so natural variations in grain, color, checking, are to be expected. Knots of various sizes are also to be expected, even though some of the samples show below appear to be clear. A great resourse for lumber grading and design values can be found at the Northeast Lumber Manufacturers Association.

 
Shake in a Timber Shake is the separation of the rings in a piece of wood that occurs as it dries. The wood can also 'peel' off around the rings, similar to the layers of an onion.

 
Extreme Shake  
 
Checking in a Timber

Checking is the appearance of cracks or splits in wood as the wood dries out over time.

The image to the left shows extreme shake and checking in hemlock

 
Golden Oak on Fir  
 
Natural Checking in Hand Hewn Pine Timber

This image shows natural checking that is to be expected in timber.

A "Check" is a long crack that appears as the sap wood of a timber shrinks around the heart wood over time.

Checking is not a structural problem, and usually occurs only on one or two sides of a beam. Oak, however, can have surface checks everywhere, which many people feel add to the beautiful rustic appearance of a timber frame.

A Natural Check  
 
 
 
 

 

 

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