Wood Species & Color

Wood species and stain color essentially come hand in hand. Both impact one another and are dependent on the end goal for a table: dark, light, formal, informal, wood grain variation, no variation, etc. Each wood species we use has its tendencies to what stain color look and work best.

*We strictly stick with the harder species for durability purposes. Continue on to see what works.

Walnut

This wood species is easily recognized for its natural beauty and character. Walnut is often left untouched for good reason. It needs no enhancement due to its known natural variation and rich color. We almost never add color to walnut, but simply coat it with a clear top coat and sealer. Slabs are a popular look, thus almost all our slab work is in walnut.

Natural Walnut with a Flat FinishNatural Walnut with a Satin FinishNatural Walnut with a High-Gloss Finish

Hickory

Known for its hardness, tighter grain, and variation in color, hickory works well with brown tones. The examples below show the colors standard to hickory, but they are not required.

Natural Hickory with a Flat FinishHickory in Almond with a Flat FinishHickory in Walknot with a Flat FinishHickory in Prado with Flat FinishHickory in Charwood with a Satin FinishHickory in Briar with a Flat Finish

Quarter Sawn White Oak

With a more consistent grain pattern, quarter sawn white oak fits a few different styles. The grain tends to be cleaner and have an almost Morse code pattern. Unlike traditional flat sawn oaks, quarter sawn is known for uniformity and stability. Quarter sawn white oak gives off a golden tint and has more ray flaking than other oaks (a figuring in the wood grain that can be selected for tables) and is great for outdoor use.

Quarter Sawn White Oak

Natural Quarter Sawn White Oak with Flat FinishQuarter Sawn White Oak in Winter Brown (Dark) with Flat FinishQuarter Sawn White Oak in Classic Gray w/ White Cerused and Flat FinishQuarter Sawn White Oak in Charcoal with Satin FinishQuarter Sawn White Oak with Heavy Ray Flake in Traditional Brown and Satin Finish

Ash

This wood species works best with black, gray, and cool tones. Due to its light and pale natural state, the wood does not influence the stain color as much. A large, looser grain is yet another characteristic of ash left for buyers choice. The pictures below show our standard stains.

Ash in Sawdust with Flat FinishAsh in Natural Earth with Flat FinishAsh in Natural Earth with White Cerused with Flat FinishAsh in Sahara with Flat FinishAsh in Whitewash with Flat FinishAsh in Fog with Flat FinishAsh in Prado with Flat FinishAsh in Charwood with Flat FinishAsh in Briar with Satin FinishAsh in Dark Knight with Flat FinishAsh in Black Espresso with Satin Finish

Hard Maple

Having almost no grain texture, but good figuring, maple gives a clean, smooth look. This wood species tends to show blemishes more, however, is just as hard as the others. Hard maple works well with pale and brown tones. Take a look at our few examples below.

Hard Maple in Prado and Flat FinishHard Maple in Charcoal and Flat FinishHard Maple in Espresso Gray with Flat FinishHard Maple in Harvest with Flat FinishHard Maple in Earthtone and Flat FinishHard Maple in Traditional Brown Medium with Satin Finish