When it comes to crafting furniture that stands the test of time, the choice of wood plays a pivotal role. In Iowa, there are seven major wood types that have captured the attention of artisans and woodworkers alike. Let's dive into the characteristics and cost ratings of each of these wood types that can be used to create furniture pieces:
Black Walnut - Cost: 3/3
Known for its rich, dark color and stunning grain patterns, Black Walnut is a highly sought-after wood for furniture making. Its heartwood displays shades ranging from deep chocolate to lighter purplish hues, creating a visually captivating aesthetic. Walnut is favored for its workability, allowing woodworkers to carve intricate details and achieve smooth finishes. The wood's durability and resistance to decay make it an excellent choice for heirloom-quality furniture.
White Oak - Cost: 3/3
White Oak is a staple in furniture construction due to its exceptional strength and durability. Its light to medium brown hue boasts a beautiful ray and fleck pattern, adding character to any piece. White Oak's tight grain makes it suitable for creating sturdy, enduring furniture that can withstand daily use and the test of time. This wood type is often used for crafting classic mission-style furniture.
Cherry - Cost: 2/3
Cherry wood is renowned for its warm, reddish-brown color that deepens over time, creating a striking patina. Its fine, straight grain adds an elegant touch to furniture pieces, making it a popular choice for traditional and contemporary designs alike. Cherry wood is relatively easy to work with and takes on finishes exceptionally well, giving furniture makers the freedom to create pieces with a range of styles and finishes.
Hard Maple - Cost: 2/3
Hard Maple is valued for its light, creamy color and smooth, even texture. This wood type is characterized by its subtle grain patterns, making it an excellent canvas for furniture that requires intricate detailing or a sleek, modern look. Hard Maple's resilience and resistance to wear and tear make it an ideal choice for crafting furniture that can withstand daily use, such as dining tables and chairs. One major drawback to Hard Maple is the difficulty to stain this wood type, which often appears blotchy and uneven. We often recommend a clearcoat on this type of wood.
Ash - Cost: 1/3
Ash wood, with its light color and pronounced grain patterns, is a versatile choice for furniture making. It's known for its exceptional strength and shock resistance, making it a favorite for crafting pieces that need to endure heavy use. Ash wood's pale color allows it to take on a wide range of finishes, from natural and rustic to contemporary and sleek, making it a perfect choice for creating furniture that blends seamlessly into various design aesthetics. There is also an abundance of Ash wood available in Iowa due to the Emerald Ash Borer, which helps drive down the cost of this type of wood.
Sycamore - Cost: 2/3
Sycamore wood, often prized for its light to medium brown color and distinctive interlocking grain patterns, lends a touch of elegance to furniture creations. Its fine texture allows for smooth finishes, and its characteristic figure can create visually appealing focal points in furniture pieces. Sycamore's versatility and relative ease of working make it a popular choice for crafting intricate and unique furniture designs.
Hackberry - Cost: 1/3
Hackberry wood, with its pale, creamy color and subtle grain patterns, is a reliable choice for furniture that exudes a simple, rustic charm. It offers good stability and is known for its durability, making it suitable for a wide range of furniture styles. Hackberry's affordability and easy workability provide furniture makers with the opportunity to create budget-friendly yet enduring pieces that capture the essence of nature.
In the heart of the midwest, these seven exceptional wood types provide furniture makers with an array of options to create masterpieces that combine both form and function, with costs ranging from moderate to affordable. Whether you're drawn to the deep tones of Black Walnut, the strength of White Oak, the warmth of Cherry, the versatility of Hard Maple, the resilience of Ash, the elegance of Sycamore, or the rustic charm of Hackberry, each wood type offers a unique set of characteristics that contribute to the creation of exquisite, enduring furniture. As artisans continue to draw inspiration from Iowa's natural beauty, these wood types will undoubtedly play a significant role in crafting furniture that tells a story and withstands the test of time.
]]>Iowa, like many other regions, has been greatly affected by the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle species that has decimated ash tree populations. These once majestic trees now stand as lifeless reminders of the devastation caused by this destructive pest. However, amidst this unfortunate situation, there lies an opportunity to create something extraordinary.
Choosing to repurpose ash wood lumber has significant environmental benefits. By utilizing salvaged lumber that would otherwise be sent to the landfill, we reduce waste and minimize the demand for new materials. This sustainable approach helps preserve our natural resources and contributes to a greener future.
Using salvaged lumber is a fantastic way to reduce waste and give new life to materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. In the case of the Black Ash Waterfall Armrest Table, it showcases a piece of the tree that is typically considered unusable. By repurposing this salvaged lumber, the table not only adds a unique and rustic touch to any living space but also helps to minimize environmental impact. It's a win-win situation!
]]>Using salvaged lumber is a fantastic way to reduce waste and give new life to materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. In the case of the Black Ash Waterfall Armrest Table, it showcases a piece of the tree that is typically considered unusable. By repurposing this salvaged lumber, the table not only adds a unique and rustic touch to any living space but also helps to minimize environmental impact. It's a win-win situation!
Check out this new product: https://hazeloakfarms.com/products/extra-long-round-armrest-black-ash-waterfall-sofa-table-to-the-floor?_pos=1&_sid=850609c74&_ss=r
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The finish used on your product is a natural and environmentally friendly oil. It creates an extremely durable finish and enhances the natural beauty and grain of wood furniture.
Caring for this oil finished surface is simple, and when done properly, keeps your furniture looking beautiful for a lifetime.
There should never be a need for a re-coat or a messy re-sand and refinish.
The only reason you would need to re-sand your furniture with this type of finish would be if a color change is desired. This provides a major advantage over the polyurethane finish maintenance process, which is messy, lengthy, and requires re-sanding between applications.
Keeping your oiled furniture clean is the first step to caring for your oil finish.
Once you receive your furniture piece, you should allow at least 5 days for it to fully cure before cleaning with liquids.
Keeping dirt and grit off of wooden furniture will greatly extend the life of any finish. here are 2 options available for cleaning your oiled furniture.
1. Damp rag
2. Rubio Monocoat Surface Care Spray or Refresh Eco Spray
Using a damp rag with clean water is sufficient for the regular cleaning of your oiled furniture. Remember that wood and water do not mix, so using a damp rag means your rag should not be “dripping wet” when cleaning a wood surface. Clean using a damp rag with water as needed but avoid doing so daily. Clean water will not always get your furniture clean.
Rubio Monocoat Surface Care Spray is the only recommended cleaner for your oil finished furniture. This cleaner will remove all dirt and grease thoroughly, without leaving a film or affecting the matte natural look of the wood. Again, be sure to only use a damp rag and not saturate the furniture with liquid.
Rubio Monocoat Refresh Eco Spray is a ready to use sprayable product that refreshes AND restores all wooden surfaces that have been treated with oil. Can be applied several times a year at certain areas. It provides a non-pigmented, easy application for homeowners to use.
he finishing oil used on your product is composed of natural ingredients. It is sustainable, renewable, and completely environmentally friendly. Since no artificial toxic hardeners are used to increase the durable life of the finish, periodic rejuvenation (aka maintenance) is necessary, usually between 2 and 6 years, depending on climate, use, and care. Maintenance should be done using Rubio Monocoat Renew.
Renew is a ready-to-use product that refreshes, restores, and protects surfaces treated with the finish used on your product. It brings the surface back to a freshly oiled state. Renew should be used when the surface starts to feel too dry or rough, or when the finish has worn down due to heavy use.
High traffic areas like heavily used kitchen countertops, dining room tables, and around kitchen sinks wear faster than other applications. Over time, they can develop “dry” looking spots as the finish wears away. The worn spots will appear dry or rough. Another sign of compromised protection is the failure for liquids to bead-up on the finish surface. These areas can be renewed individually whenever necessary using Renew.
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Satin Black Powdercoat | Gloss Black Powdercoat | Triple Bronze Powdercoat | Bengal Silver Powdercoat | Super Chrome Powdercoat |
Titanium Gold Powdercoat | Gloss White Powdercoat |
Smittbilt Overlander Tent XL (as seen in photo)
Motobilt Stubby Rear Bumper JKU
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]]>Great option for a durable hardwood with beautiful wood grain. Available in 1" and 2" thicknesses. Takes stain easily and consistently.
Ash Grey | Black | Charcoal | Intense Grey | Gris Beige |
Chocolate | Castle Brown | Walnut | Dark Oak | Provincial |
Pure | Super White | Odie's Oil | Odie's Dark | Cotton White |
Citrine |
Well known American wood. A valuable timber species used in many furniture and industrial applications. "White Oak" is a term used to describe 7 different oak species. White oak colors can vary greatly, from a very light straw color to a brown color. White oak is a porous wood that takes stain very well. Depending on how it is cut, the wood grain can look drastically different.
Some of the most beautiful wood grain available. Very unique and rare. Supply is limited. On the softer side. Available in 1" thick and some 2" thick slabs.
Charcoal | Intense Grey | Odie's Oil | Unfinished |
Black | Charcoal | Chocolate | Intense Grey | Osmo White |
Dark Oak | Oak | Odie's Dark | Odie's Oil | Biscuit |
Black | Charcoal | Castle Brown | Ash Grey | Intense Grey |
Dark Oak | Odie's Dark | Odie's Oil | Biscuit | Osmo White |
We do have some of this spalted Sycamore available in 4/4 (1" thick) boards. It doesn't generally have as many black "Spalting" lines as Maple or Hackberry, but is possibly more beautiful. The wood will vary between light tan to deep orange or brown colors. Costs as much as Walnut.
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