Wood wane is essentially a missing piece of wood on the edge or side of a piece of lumber. It can also be identified by the presence of bark remaining on the edge where the wood should be.
According to a reference from September 13, 2021, wane is described as "a bit of missing wood on the side of a piece of lumber." This condition "might also manifest as the presence of bark."
Understanding Wane
Wane occurs when the original rounded surface of the log is still present on the squared edge of the sawed lumber. Instead of a clean, straight edge, part of the edge is missing or contains bark.
Key Characteristics of Wane
- Missing Wood: The primary characteristic is a section of the edge that is not squared off as intended.
- Presence of Bark: Often, the missing section will still have the bark attached.
- Location: Typically found on the edges or corners of a board.
Why is Wane a Concern?
Wane is often a characteristic of lower-grade lumber. Its presence can affect the usable width or thickness of the board and may indicate inconsistencies in the milling process.
Dealing with Wane
While wane is usually associated with lower grades, its impact depends on the intended use of the lumber.
- Lower-Grade Lumber: Wane is more commonly accepted in these grades.
- Concealment: As noted in the reference, wane "can sometimes be concealed in certain applications simply by turning the board over" or positioning the waned edge where it won't be visible, such as against another board or a wall.
- Cutting it Out: For projects requiring clean edges, the waned section can be cut off, though this reduces the overall size of the usable board.
Practical Solutions
- Use boards with wane for structural elements where edges are hidden.
- Orient boards so the wane faces inward or is covered.
- Accept wane in rustic or less critical applications.
In summary, wood wane is a common imperfection on lumber edges, characterized by missing wood or bark, and is typically found in lower grades, but can often be managed depending on the project's requirements.
