Grain Orientation for a table

[Darius Ferlas]

I see some completed and wonderful table projects shown on SMC. Some tables are built with grain following the length of the table, others use shorter boards for the glue ups and so the boards are arranged width wise.

Other than the obvious (easier selection of the shorter boards) what are the design considerations?

Thank you in advance.

[glenn bradley]

Most woods will expand and contract more across their width.

[Tony Bilello]

One of them is what Glenn said "Most woods will expand and contract more across their width." That means if the grain follows along the small side there must be a lot more design considerations to compensate for it.

Another consideration is that our brain finds that long narrow shapes, like the grain running the long way, is just more pleasing.

Another thing is that if we took two tables of the same dimensions, say 2 ft wide and 5 ft long the one with the grain running the long way would appear much longer and thinner while the one with the grain running in the short direction would appear shorter and wider.

There is no right and wrong. It all depends on what kind of an effect you want to create. Do you want the room it's in to appear longer or wider?