When we work with customers to figure out the best table for their space and their needs, one of the first questions we talk about is which kind of wood they’re thinking about. We work with walnut, maple, oak and ash. They each have their own character and lend themselves to different situations. Let’s take a look at some of the key traits of these hardwoods.
Durability
At Loewen Design Studios we work exclusively with hardwoods. This means that no matter which wood you choose, it will be durable and will stand up to the adventures of life. That said, within the spectrum of hardwoods, some species are ‘harder’ than others. Depending on who will be joining you around your table, this may be a deciding factor for you.
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Maple is the hardest of the woods we work with and is therefore the most robust. This is why our local firefighters chose it for their lunch room table.
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Close behind Maple for hardness is Oak. It stands up well for daily use.
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Ash is very similar to Oak in hardness and is also a great choice for durability.
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Of the hardwoods we work with, Walnut is the least hard while still being a hardwood.
Grain
The grain is what gives each table its personality. While the grain doesn’t typically impact the functionality of a table, it does affect the look. That means that the choice on this front typically is a matter of preference.
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Maple has very tight grain which means that there is relatively little variation across the table. It tends to have a very subtle slightly wavy pattern. It also has what is called a closed grain because when you run your hand across the wood you won’t feel the texture of the grain.
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Walnut is known for its character which comes from the grain. Each slab of Walnut has a range of tones including browns, red, oranges, and some blondes and the combination of these tones is never the same twice. Sometimes, if you’re really lucky, there will even be some marbling in the coloration. Like Maple, Walnut is also known as a closed grain wood.
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Oak grain is somewhat similar to Ash but it has a tighter pattern, meaning that the lines are closer together and the grain in Oak looks more like a series of dashes. It is an open grain wood which means that when you run your hand over the wood, you will feel the texture of the grain.
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Ash grain has a looser pattern than Oak with the grain lines being wider and a little further apart. The grain in Ash is more of a long uninterrupted line. As with Oak, Ash is also an open grain wood.
Finish / colour
The grain affects how the wood takes on colour and how it is best finished.
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The uniqueness of Walnut lies in its coloration and so the finish typically enhances that. A natural finish brings out the full range of the colors while our other finishes highlights the reds, dark browns or grays
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As noted earlier, Maple has fairly even natural coloring. This means that when we finish it, the color will be quite consistent. In its natural state it is a light colored wood and often is finished in lighter colors.
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Oak is also a light colored wood that takes color quite well. Because of its open grain, the way light reflects off the wood gives the table an interesting two tone look.
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Similar to Oak, Ash takes color very well and as a bright wood, the finish has a bright undertone. It also generates a two tone look because of the way its open grain reflects the light.
Each of these wood species make beautiful, durable tables. The choice of which one is best for you depends on your style and how you envision using your table. If you’d like further help in determining the best wood for your table, reach out to us. Send us an email or book a design call - we’re here to help!
