DEDICATION THAT WON’T DIMINISH OVER TIME. EVER.
Each beautiful slab is unique, designed by nature. Natural meandering edges organically framing a perfectly flat expanse of warm wood are why live edge slabs are sought-after, whatever species you choose. We source only North American kiln-dried live-edge slabs and plane them perfectly flat until their beauty is revealed. Then we finish both sides with our ICA acrylic catalyzed polyurethane finish ensuring there will not be a water mark nor flaking on this beautiful piece of art.
A solid wood table is an excellent way to bring class and natural beauty into the home. Custom wood slabs for tables are more affordable and flexible than ever before. However, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the basics before you begin shopping. Custom wood slabs represent a significant investment and these tables can stick with the family for generations to come.
A tree can be dissected in any number of ways to produce usable lumber. Generally, long beams are cut from the center with the surrounding areas sliced into planks of desired thickness. The natural edges of the tree are removed to ensure smooth edges and surfaces.
A tree must be cut into thick slices all the way through to produce what is known as a slab. A single tree may be cut into six or more slabs. Most labs preserve the natural edges of the tree. This preserves the natural beauty of the wood and also guarantees that every wooden slab is unique. It is very important that the slabs you choose have been kiln dried to between 7 and 9 percent moisture content. This ensures that your table will not “move.”
Every tree is going to show different signs of the life it lived. Its life will be reflected in the unique characteristics of the wood. There may be scars from wildlife, knots in the wood, or large cracks that can be filled with epoxy and even bullets from target practice!. These characteristics make every custom slab table something beautiful to look at and even study momentarily. In comparison, most tables use wood that has been transformed so dramatically you forget that it was once a tree.
Choosing the type of wood for your slab is one of the first decisions you’ll face. Here are some of the most popular wood types used today.
Beechwood is an excellent choice for small-to-medium-sized tables. It is entirely possible to find larger sizes available, but the shape often becomes very unruly the larger the tree. One of the major advantages of beech wood, aside from its appearance, is that it is an odorless wood. It’s a great choice if you would like to avoid the smell of wood in your home.
This is by far the most popular choice when it comes to custom wood slabs for tables. It is an affordable, flexible, and aesthetically pleasing option. There are over 600 different species of oak and many of them are available as wood slabs. The various species may differ in color or odor. The most common option is the red oak slab. Oakwood slabs work perfectly as dining room tables, coffee tables, and end tables.
Cherry is another option with a lot of versatility. It’s also a favorite when it comes to appearance. A cherry wood slab table can blend perfectly with most home décor styles. It’s not an overpowering presence, like a maple or pine slab, but it’s still a noticeable source of natural beauty. Cherry wood is very easy to work with compared to other hard slabs.
This is among the most commanding and expensive options on the market today. It is impossible to ignore the rich, dark color and vibrant grain pattern on a walnut slab. Unfortunately, these trees tend to produce small-to-medium slabs. Larger dining room tables can be made by connecting two slabs side-by-side. This makes large walnut tables more expensive than any of the other options mentioned prior.
It’s always a good idea to begin shopping for custom wood slabs with a budget in mind. There are so many possibilities available that your imagination and your budget are all that limit your scope. Having a solid budget will actually make your search much easier.
It’s also important to note that pricing a wood slab for a table in August won’t always be the same as pricing the same custom slab in January. Prices can fluctuate quite a lot through the seasons depending on the availability of a specific wood. It’s a good idea to begin pricing your options once you are ready to buy. Though, there is no harm in getting a rough feel for the price ahead of schedule.
Wooden slabs are not priced by their area, but rather their volume. That makes a noticeable difference in price between a slab that is 2” thick and one that is 3” thick. A slab between 2” and 3” will still provide enough top finish to look and work great. It’s a good idea to stick in that range of depth if you want to budget wisely.
As a final piece of advice, we advise putting an earnest effort into finding the best possible supplier of custom wood slabs in your area. Choosing the right source will make a significant difference in the final product. An investment this important is worth the extra effort.