Abstract: A wood substrate or member is included, having an increased density with respect to natural, untreated wood. The process includes drying the wood prior to application of heat and pressure, which are controlled to reduce or eliminate color change on a surface of the wood member where heat and pressure are applied.

Abstract: A wood substrate or member is included, having an increased density with respect to natural, untreated wood. The process includes drying the wood prior to application of heat and pressure, which are controlled to reduce or eliminate color change on a surface of the wood member where heat and pressure are applied.

Abstract: A wood substrate or member is included, having an increased density with respect to natural, untreated wood. The process includes drying the wood prior to application of heat and pressure, which are controlled to reduce or eliminate color change on a surface of the wood member where heat and pressure are applied.

Abstract: A surface covering including a uniform density strand board and a top layer, where the top layer, which can include a decorative surface is adhered to the strand board. This surface covering is useful in an engineered flooring construction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distressing material, such as a board. The apparatus may include a cutter head supporting a blade, a guide member, and a flattening device. The flattening device and the guide member are positioned proximate the cutter head and on opposite sides thereof. In response to the cutter head and the surface of the material being brought into cutting contact and moved relative to each other, a resulting portion of the surface of the material is distressed. The flattening device maintains the proper vertical position of the cutter head and blade relative to the material and a material support as the material is being brought into cutting contact with the cutter head. The guide member levels warped material boards thereby bringing the board into proper elevation and engagement with the blade for cutting or scraping a top surface of the board. The material may be wood.

Abstract: An apparatus including a support for supporting a material having at least one edge, an edge cutter head, and an edge cutter head support for supporting the edge cutter head. In response to the edge cutter head and the at least one edge of the material being brought into cutting contact and moved relative to each other, a resulting portion of the at least one edge of the material is distressed.

Abstract: A method of distressing a board is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: a) supporting the board on a material support, the board having a substantially planar surface; b) providing a blade having a front surface and a curved back cutting surface, the front surface and the curved back cutting surface intersecting to form a curved tip; c) directing the blade and the substantially planar surface into cutting contact; and d) generating relative movement between the blade and the board to distress a portion of the substantially planar surface; and wherein during step d), the blade is maintained in a fixed orientation relative to the substantially planar surface of the board so that an obtuse mount angle is maintained.

Abstract: A blade including a body has a front surface and a curved back cutting surface. The front surface has a mount angle relative to a material surface of a material facing the back cutting surface. The back cutting surface has a substrate clearance angle relative to the material surface. In response to at least one of the blade and the material surface being brought into cutting contact and moved relative to each other, a resulting portion of the material surface has a distressed appearance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distressing material, such as a board. The apparatus may include a cutter head supporting a blade, a guide member, and a flattening device. The flattening device and the guide member are positioned proximate the cutter head and on opposite sides thereof. In response to the cutter head and the surface of the material being brought into cutting contact and moved relative to each other, a resulting portion of the surface of the material is distressed. The flattening device maintains the proper vertical position of the cutter head and blade relative to the material and a material support as the material is being brought into cutting contact with the cutter head. The guide member levels warped material boards thereby bringing the board into proper elevation and engagement with the blade for cutting or scraping a top surface of the board. The material may be wood.

Abstract: A distressed board. The distressed board may include grooves randomly positioned on a surface of the distressed board, the grooves having a radius greater than about 5 inches. The ratio of the surface scraped area of the distressed board that has been scraped compared to a surface board area that is available to be scraped may be greater than 1:1. The grooves may be randomly positioned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the distressed board, the grooves being applied at an angle of greater than about +/?5 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the distressed board.

Abstract: A blade including a body has a front surface and a curved back cutting surface. The front surface has a mount angle relative to a material surface of a material facing the back cutting surface. The back cutting surface and the front surface define a blade angle. In response to at least one of the blade and the material surface being brought into cutting contact and moved relative to each other, a resulting portion of the material surface has a distressed appearance.

Abstract: A blade including a body has a front surface and a curved back cutting surface. The front surface has a mount angle relative to a material surface of a material facing the back cutting surface. The back cutting surface has a substrate clearance angle relative to the material surface. In response to at least one of the blade and the material surface being brought into cutting contact and moved relative to each other, a resulting portion of the material surface has a distressed appearance.

Abstract: An apparatus including a support for supporting a material having at least one edge, an edge cutter head, and an edge cutter head support for supporting the edge cutter head. In response to the edge cutter head and the at least one edge of the material being brought into cutting contact and moved relative to each other, a resulting portion of the at least one edge of the material is distressed.

Abstract: Methods of production of spalted wood veneer and spalted wood products are disclosed. The method of production of the spalted wood veneer includes comprising forming a wood veneer, and inoculating the wood veneer with spalting spores. The inoculated wood veneer is positioned in the chamber, which may be sterilized. The method of production of the spalted wood product includes sterilizing a chamber and inoculating a wood product with spalting spores. The inoculated wood product is positioned in the chamber.

Abstract: A spalted wood product having a first ply cut from a wood and a second ply cut from the wood wherein the first ply and the second ply are spalted. The spalted first ply or spalted second ply is positioned on a base, where the base includes engineered wood, and the wood products include wood flooring.

Abstract: A spalted wood product having a first ply cut from a wood and a second ply cut from the wood wherein the first ply and the second ply are spalted. The spalted first ply or spalted second ply is positioned on a base, where the base includes engineered wood, and the wood products include wood flooring.

Abstract: Spalted wood veneer, which can be used in the commercial production of engineered wood flooring having a spalted wood veneer decorative layer, is produced by forming a wood veneer piece, inoculating the wood veneer piece with spalting spores, subjecting the inoculated veneer piece to a predetermined environment, then inspecting the inoculated veneer piece to determine the degree of spalting, and when a desired degree of spalting is reached, deterring continued spalting.

Abstract: Spalted wood veneer, which can be used in the commercial production of engineered wood flooring having a spatted wood veneer decorative layer, is produced by forming a wood veneer piece, inoculating the wood veneer piece with spalting spores, subjecting the inoculated veneer piece to a predetermined environment, then inspecting the inoculated veneer piece to determine the degree of spalting, and when a desired degree of spalting is reached, deterring continued spalting.