End grain table tops look fantastic, as they have some interesting patterns that can really bring a breath of fresh air to your home. They are primarily made from contrasting pieces of wood. It’s called “end grain” because, instead of the faces of boards showing the upper surface of the top, the wood is manually and carefully arranged so that it shows the end grain. If you’d like to build one for yourself, rest assured that it’s actually easier than it may seem at first.

Getting started

Choose your wood carefully. For example, beech for the legs would be an ideal option for end grain table tops. The top will ideally need different types of wood, such as beech, walnut, cherry for example. Then , joint and plane strips for the tabletop, then glue them together. To calculate the length of the long-grain strips you’ll need to multiply the thickness of the end-grain tabletop you want by the number of end-grain rows needed for the desired tabletop length. Just bare in mind that more often ”too long” is better than “too short”. You will need to use plenty of clamps and alternate them from side to side, and also wooden cauls in order to keep the strips as leveled as possible.

Before the glue joints dry up, make sure you clean them and let the panel sit and cure for 24 hours.

Gluing and leveling the End Grain slab

In order to keep the strip aligned, make holes for three dowels across each joint. The dowels will not need to be glued in because the joint will actually be strong enough. They are only for alignment purposes. In terms of leveling, if the glue-up went well, all you need to do is prepare for sanding. However, if the corners wobble on a flat surface, you will need to remove the extra wood.

Final Details

You’re almost ready to enjoy your new tabletop. Of course, legs and aprons also need to be assembled, and the wood for them milled. But that’s really up to you to decide which type of wood to use and how to design the legs. The tabletop slab will need to be prepared in order to be attached to the base properly. Short, routed grooves and metal Z-clips can be used at this point. For a maximum protection, oil-based varnish needs to be applied. About eight to ten coats will do the job. Sounds like a lot? Yes, it might be, but end grain is really thirsty and deserves that extra care. Oiling it properly will protect it’s colours and will also prevent the scratches.

Looking for professionals?

If you’re unsure where to start or don’t really have the necessary space to bring together a new end grain tabletop, we have the right solution for you. You can contact us for a no-obligation on-site consultation, or give us a call at 020 7060 0870 and we will help you obtain a wonderful end grain table of any size that perfectly fits your requirements.

With such a rich industry in terms of materials and types of furniture and especially kitchen worktops, it may be difficult to choose a solid wood worktop, in terms of sticking within your budget. It may also be very tempting to go for more affordable materials instead. We believe in the beauty and durability of solid wood, and we want to present you eight reasons for choosing solid wood worktops instead of all the other options.

It’s strong and robust

Solid wooden worktops are very strong and durable. They can take up a lot of weight and pressure before they crack, but one of the biggest advantages is that they are less susceptible to water damage than veneer wood, for example. So you won’t need to worry that you might spill (too much) water on it and create bubbles and buckling.

It’s like a good wine

Just like a bottle of great wine, solid wood gets better with age, as it’s natural color will deepen. It will not start to look tired and worn, but it will keep it’s personality. And, if you polish it and wax it every few months, rest assured that it will serve you for many, many years to come.

It’s never out of style

Solid wood will never become outdated or out of fashion. It loom great with almost all kitchen styles and colours. It brings a natural warmth to your home and can make you feel closer to nature.

Wipe out all the imperfections

One of the biggest advantages of solid wood is that almost all imperfections can be sanded out. If you drop a knife on a stone surface or on a veneer wood worktop, it will be much more difficult to fix. However, if you choose a solid wood worktop, it will only need to be sealed once a year to prevent water from soaking in, dents can be easily filled, stains and scuffs easily polished out. If you’re unsure of how to do this and would like the professionals to help, give us a call at 020 7060 0870 as we have a special Warranty and Aftercare service that will fix your issues.

Not very expensive

You might avoid thinking about solid wood because it’s expensive, but really, on the long term, you might actually spend less money with it than with other materials. Also, we believe that there is a worktop for every budged, so why not give us a call today and we’ll figure together out which one best suits both your budget and your preferences. Solid wood worktops are not as expensive as granite, and not as cheap as laminate ones. You will be able to not only give your kitchen a brand new look, but to also enjoy it’s practicality over the years.

It’s unique

No worktop looks exactly like another, since no two pieces of wood are exactly the same. So, if you’re looking to bring a touch of uniqueness to your kitchen, and create a great surface to cook on, solid wood is the ideal option for you.

When it comes to deciding which type of furniture best suits you home, you might find yourself in the situation of having to choose between solid wood and wood veneer. But which one is better, which one should you choose? Veneering dates back to the Egyptian times when veneers were used on the sarcophagi and furniture. In modern woodworking, the veneers are actually thin pieces of wood that are glued onto core panels which can then be used for a wide range of purposes. A piece of veneer is nowadays created either by “peeling” the trunk of a tree or by slicing blocks of wood.

Solid wood furniture – advantages

Solid wood has become the most expensive and desirable option. It can send a strong message to your customers, if you own a business, but it can also bring a fresh new look to your home. If your budget is flexible and you’re looking for furniture that will last for decades to come, solid wood is the ideal option for you. A few advantages of using solid wood is that it provides durability and stability. The design created is more secure and easier to repair. Also, there are limitless color options. You will surely find one that to accommodate your personal style or office. Solid wood is easy to refinish, easy to sand and stain should you ever wish to give it a new look. So you don’t need to rethink your whole furniture set and buy a new one, you can just give this one a fresh new look.

Disadvantages of solid wood

It’s cost-effective. It does offer a clear value, but at the same time it comes with higher prices and it may not always be within your budget. Solid wood furniture is also heavier an bulkier, and not easy to move around the house should you wish to rethink your space. So, if you are planning on moving offices very often, solid wood may not be the ideal option for you at this time. It’s also not completely invincible. Even if you touch it up with polish or wax every now and again, solid wood is still susceptible to warping, especially when it comes to flat panels.

What about wood veneer?

The practice of making wood veneer allows furniture makers to build furniture pieces at a lower cost. Veneer can be sanded, painted and stained because it is a real wood, even if just a thin layer. You have to be careful about removing too much material, but you can still give your item an updated look. Scratches and stains may also be buffed out. Veneer furniture is more resistant to warping than solid wood, and sometimes panels of it are incorporated into pieces that also include solid wood components. Using veneers allows the crafstman to create an entire surface from just one tree, by matching grains. This can’t really be said about solid wood. Last, but not least, veneers are easy to be maintained. They love the microfiber cloths and the usual furniture polish.

The cons of wood veneer

Some people might argue that it is not real wood, and they do have a point. Veneer products are affordable, beautiful and durable, but they will never be like solid wood. Veneer is also susceptible to water damage. If moisture steeps under the veneer, it can loosen the top layer. This can result in buckling and bubbles, so you need to take extra care when maneuvering water recipients in the proximity of your furniture.

As a conclusion, both types of furniture have advantages an disadvantages. If you’re still unsure of which one to go for, contact us for a no-obligation on-site consultation, or give us a call at 020 7060 0870 and we will help you achieve the best looks your house can have within your own personal budget.