Buying slabs
End grain is the cross-cut face at the end of a board or slab.
Growth rings and pores are easiest to read on this face. It also absorbs liquid quickly and often shows drying checks first.
Inspect both ends before planning final length. A split may travel farther into the slab than its opening on the face suggests.
More terms
A slab is a single wide piece sawn lengthwise from a log and kept at substantial thickness.
In slab listings, board can mean one solid sawn piece from a log.
Solid wood is wood cut from a tree rather than a sheet made from fibres, particles or veneer over a core.
A finished panel is a manufactured or glued panel supplied at a set size and surface condition.