Choosing a live edge slab for your dining room table adds a unique touch to any home. When selecting which slab to buy, there are many things you should consider. Hopefully this article will help you decide which slab is right for you.
Dimensions
The first thing to consider should be size: How many people are you looking to seat at the table and how does that size relate to the dimensions of the room. Many people feel they need a 48” wide table, but if people can’t easily stand up from the table without the chair hitting the wall, a 40” wide table would be a better choice. Below is a simple chart we created to help guide you in choosing the right size table for your home.
Dining Room Table Sizes – Rectangle
Dining Room Table Sizes – Round
Color and Species
Next you need to think about what color tone or species you’re looking for: From Maple to Walnut there should be no problem finding the right one. Visiting our Inventory Page will give you a quick preview of the color of each species.
Budget
Without a doubt, our most popular species is walnut, and it’s no wonder. It’s beautiful
dark heart wood and contrasting white sapwood are stunning. Walnut has been a favorite of wood workers for hundreds of years. Walnut does come at a cost, though. Larger walnut trees are becoming harder to come across, and with demand still high, this is going to be one of the more expensive options for a domestic hardwood.
If Walnut isn’t in your budget, we also offer several domestic species that are much more cost effective. Maple, Oak, Tulip, and Ash are great hardwoods to use for a table for the budget conscious.
Style of Table
(Single Slab, River Table, or Book Matched)
The most obvious option for a live edge slab table would be to use a single slab for your top. These are one-of-a-kind slabs that were sawn from large diameter logs. The wider the slab gets, the more expensive you can expect it to be. Book matched sets and river tables are great options for the budget conscious and still provide the unique look of a live edge slab.
Book matched slabs are usually cut from smaller diameter logs and are made by joining two “sister slabs” to make one live edge tabletop. Book matches require a bit of extra work for the slabs to be joined and then flattened again, but the outcome is well worth it.
River tables can be made from two smaller slabs, or from a single slab that is cut down the center and has the live edges turned inwards. The space in the middle of the two slabs is normally filled with epoxy and tinted to desired color. River tables tend to be more cost effective when it comes to purchasing live edge slabs but does require much more set up time and labor than single slabs or book matches.
Conclusion
With over 10,000 unique live edge slabs and burls in stock, we should have something to fit your size and your budget. If you’re not able to find what you’re looking for, feel free to call our sales office at 413-229-7919 or email info@berkshireproducts.com, and one of our sales representatives should be able to help you search. Visit our customer gallery to see many beautiful tables made by our customers using our natural live edge wood slabs.
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