The gathering of our loved ones around the dining table to enjoy a meal and conversation is one of the dining table's most significant functions in our home. It is a location where we can unwind, take a vacation from thinking, and make healthier eating choices because we are solely focused on the taste and variety of the cuisine.
If you are planning to purchase a raw timber dining table, you are undoubtedly well aware of its features and advantages, which initially drew you to it. A timber dining table offers a variety of design alternatives in addition to strength, resilience, and unmatched beauty.
Wood will adjust to your preferences and reward you with a lovely centerpiece that everyone will enjoy, whether you favour traditional rectangular pieces or are looking for something bolder and more abstract. Selecting the most suitable timber finish for your dining table is one method to ensure that it perfectly fits your lifestyle and interiors.
Stay with us to learn more about the best types of raw wood and finishes for your new table.
DURABILITY OF TIMBER TABLES
Each variety of wood has distinctive qualities. Some are more durable than others. The Janka Hardness test is the most accurate way to determine how hardwood is. On the Janka Hardness scale, Australian Buloke, which weighs 5,060 lbf, is the hardest wood, and balsa wood, which weighs about 70 lbf, is the softest.
For furniture that receives a lot of use, such as workstations, coffee tables, and dining tables, durability and toughness are crucial factors. Furniture that is frequently used needs to be tough enough to resist dents and scratches more readily than softer woods.
When choosing the best wood for a dining table, durability is just one vital consideration. The densest woodlands might also be some of the hardest. In environments with high humidity, high-density woods might be more susceptible to warping or cracking. Additionally, softer woods are easier to deal with because screws and nails may penetrate them easily. It results in stronger couplings.
TYPES OF WOOD USED IN A TIMBER TABLE
Timeless Oak
The majestic oak is one of the most popular woods for dining tables. Due to the strong grain, oak wood has a somewhat higher resistance rating than other hardwoods, making it sturdy and durable. One of its major advantages is that you can use it indoors and outdoors, so the oak is a perfect option if you're searching for untreated wood that can survive the elements for a long time.
Depending on the variety, oak wood can have hues ranging from reddish to golden-orange. Because of its surface's propensity to absorb wood preservatives, you can paint oak wood stained, smoked, and varnished.
Walnut Timber
One of the finest and distinctive types of wood is walnut, which blends in beautifully with contemporary and clean house decor. The most typical pattern, which will remain vibrant for many years, is created by its striking colour variations of black, grey, golden, and even purple.
Walnut, like oak, offers a good combination of environmental and eco-friendly characteristics and can be water and mould resistant. Even though it is more costly than other hardwood species, given that it has a lifespan of between 150 and 400 centuries, it is clear that it is a good investment. However, sharp objects tend to scratch their surface. Thus, extra caution is needed.
Ash Timber
Ash wood can be the answer you were looking for if you want to have a raw wood dining table that might illuminate the entire space with its genuine beauty. It's also perfect if you're looking for something solid enough to withstand cracking beneath pressure due to its inherent resistance to dents. Therefore, the exceptional Ash wood is safe to use if you plan to hold large dinner parties in which a lot of food has to be set on a dining table.
It's one of the brightest woods, but despite this, it has a rich feel and tightly packed grain. Even so, it just needs a little upkeep. You can be as inventive as you like with the design because it readily absorbs wood stains. However, ash wood is lighter than other wood species, making it a great option for people who move about a lot.
Victorian ash (Vic Ash) wood is highly flexible, making it popular among many furniture makers and buildings. Because of its warm, honey-colored tones and superb staining ability, it is ideal for indoor use and blends seamlessly with other woods and furniture.
Elm
Elm is another very sturdy and long-lasting wood that works well for dining tables. It has superb colouring and patterning, making it the ideal material for decorative furniture. Elm is second in popularity to oak, and because of its interlocking grain and resilience to splitting, it is a perfect material for cabinets, tables, and other furniture.
Beechwood
Beechwood has a colour that is similar to salmon and has a pore pattern. Due to its lack of scent, it is frequently used in furniture construction. Beechwood, however, is inherently absorbent, making it unsuitable for use in producing outdoor furniture or in damp or humid environments.
Pine
Softwoods are common and include pine. Reclaimed pine is typically more mature than newly planted pine trees that are swiftly developed for furniture production since the trees used for their first use as part of a building have already aged and hardened. It is a very common option for furniture creation because it is easily accessible and affordable. A pine table is simple to maintain because minor dings and knocks are concealable with wax.
Reclaimed
Reclaimed wood has never been more in demand since, as a society, we are gravitating more and more towards eco-friendly purchases in all facets of our lives. It's also true of furniture purchases. Reclaimed wood will give your dining area a warmth, history, and uniqueness that new wood cannot. When it was first utilised, the wood most likely came from mature trees rather than trees that were swiftly cultivated to make furniture.
BEST FINISH FOR DINING TIMBER TABLES
Applying a finish is the last, and possibly, the most crucial step in the furniture-making process after your dining table has been constructed. When it comes to finishing wood, there are several possibilities, including wax, oil, and varnish, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. Using a specific solvent on the wood's surface and letting it dry creates a protective covering in the finishing process. Depending on your treatment, the wood may also look different by being highlighted or having its colour altered.
Varnish
Varnish is a perfect option for those searching for a table requiring little care. Varnish is a viscous liquid that, when dried, leaves the wood with a firm, transparent, and lustrous surface. The wood is effectively sealed and shielded from scuffs, stains, dirt, and liquids because of how hard it cures. Although some people may not like it, varnish produces a layer on top of the wood due to how durable it is, making it impossible to feel the wood's inherent grain and texture. There isn't much of choice but to strip the table back to bare wood and re-varnish it if it does sustain damage over time, but it's possible that this finish will endure for many years and may never need to be restored.
Wood Oil
Another choice to take into account for your table finish is wood oils. They perform a fantastic job of safeguarding your table while preserving the organic feel and grain of the wood. Additionally, wood oils are amazing at bringing out the wood's natural colour while safeguarding it from spills and everyday use. In general, wax oils are a fantastic choice for individuals looking to highlight the natural beauty of the wood, but depending on usage, they can start to fade and normally need topping up every 12 months. It's crucial to remember that tables with wood oil finishes need to be reapplied frequently, especially if they are used often. The good news is that you can do this yourself pretty easily at home; read our guide on caring for your table here.
Wax
For many years, wax finishes—which have been available for centuries—were thought of as the "go-to" finish for tables. Wax is especially useful for filling in any gaps in salvaged wood and can truly accentuate the wood's natural grain. Wax-finished tables can be easily fixed and maintained. However, this does necessitate reapplying the wax frequently. The most upkeep is needed for tables with a wax finish, which you must wax every six months to keep the wood safe.
Hard Wax Oil
Hard wax oil is a durable substitute for wax and oil. Hard wax oils, a combination of solid waxes and oil, are incredibly resistant and provide a more lasting finish than wax or oil alone. This finish is incredibly simple to apply, keep clean, and, most critically, fix if parts of the table eventually start to seem worn out. Identical to oil, hard wax oil preserves the wood's original appearance and feel while offering a stronger barrier. This finish might last up to 12 months before it needs to be reapplied because it is a little more durable.
BUY THE BEST TIMBER TABLE FROM SWEET PEA INTERIORS AUSTRALIA
Finding the correct wood for your dining table is crucial because it will be the most used piece of furniture in your home, whether you want to build one or have one custom-made. It must be a sturdy solid wood that can withstand frequent use.