Wood Types and Finishes

At Artig, we take pride in offering a range of high-quality hardwoods and finishes for our tables and dining toppers. Our selection includes four types of hardwood and seven finishes, each chosen for its unique characteristics and beauty. Here’s a closer look at what we offer:

Our Wood Sources

All our wood is sourced within 100 miles of the Twin Cities in Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul). We obtain wood from storm damage, urban salvage, responsibly managed forests, and habitat control measures. Our wood is milled in Forest Lake, Minnesota, and kiln-dried to about 8% moisture to ensure optimal stability and durability. We also cut the wood to precise measurements at the mill to minimize waste.

The Finishing Process

After assembling your table, we meticulously sand it to a 220-grit finish for an incredibly smooth surface. We use Danish Oil for all our finishes. Danish Oil, a blend of oils including tung and linseed, varnish, and solvents, penetrates and protects the wood while enhancing its natural grain and color. This oil provides a low-luster, satin finish that is both durable and easy to maintain. For more details on caring for your table, please refer to our FAQs.

Our Hardwood Selections and Finishes

Explore these options and find the perfect combination of wood and finish to elevate your table’s aesthetic and durability. For further insights and expert opinions, feel free to reach out to us.

Maple

  • Cost-effective: Maple is abundant in the Midwest and easy to grow and harvest, making it the most affordable option.
  • Unique spalting: Some pieces feature stunning dark grain variations.
  • Finishing challenges: Its dense, tight grain can be difficult to finish evenly. Medium tones can look blotchy.
  • Our Favorite Finish: Very light finishes look great and bring out the natural yellow/white tints of the wood; our favorite is spalted maple with natural.
  • Our Second Favorite: If you are into the “rustic” or “farmhouse” look, you may want to go with a dark walnut finish as it will make some very interesting contrasts due to the blotchy tendencies.

Red Oak

  • Similar pricing to Maple: Abundant and durable, though slightly pricier due to its hardness and drying difficulty.
  • Easy to finish: Consistent and easy to work with.
  • Prominent grain: Has a distinctive grain that is prominent with darker finishes.
  • Our Favorite Finishes: Red Mahogany for a rich, dark reddish-brown hue.

Cherry

Cherry

  • Highly prized: Known for its rich, warm color and beautiful grain patterns.
  • Costlier: Less prevalent and in high demand, making it more expensive.
  • Beautiful aging: Naturally darkens over time, enhancing its grain and appearance.
  • Our Favorite Finishes: Natural finish for a soft grain look that ages beautifully; Light Walnut to make the grain pop.

Walnut

  • Sought-after: Valued for high-end furniture due to its beauty and workability.
  • Rich heartwood: Dark brown, almost black, heartwood.
  • Sapwood contrast: Offers stunning contrast with pale yellow/gray tones.
  • Versatile grain: From straight to wavy patterns.
  • Our Favorite Finishes: Natural finish to highlight wood variation, or Black Walnut for a uniform look without sapwood contrast.