What is a live edge table, and why the growing popularity? Stated this style wood table brings nature into the decor of our home. Although this style of natural wood furniture is growing in popularity, it has been around for many years. They are also known as a rustic table, natural wood table, burl wood table, and many others. But whatever the name, they allow us to bring nature’s calming effects into homes as functional furniture.
What is a live edge table
A live edge table is simply a wood slab with the outside of the tree still attached. Not to be confused with a bark edge, which is not common as most barks will separate from the outside of the tree is the drying process. Below is an example of a solid tree wood slab with the natural live edge attached. It is a massive Claro walnut wood slab milled from a tree that has lived its life. Also, to cut the cost, several smaller wood slabs are glued together with live edge glued to the outside. Normally these are thinner around 1″ cutting cost. Some production furniture shops will cut a faux live edge. Unlike glue-up tables, most solid wood slab tables finish at 2″ to 3″ thick. Thus the increase in cost. Lumber is sold by the board foot, which is length X width X thickness divided by 144.
Why are live edge tables so expensive?
You may have noticed prices range from under a couple of thousand dollars and up. Pricing a live edge table is complex, and you must compare apples with apples and understand what you are buying. As I stated earlier, lumber is sold by the board foot. Prices differ from one wood species to another. Also, in the live edge wood slab world size of the wood slab has a factor in the price. For example, a Northern California Walnut 4′ wide 12′ long 3″ thick is rarer than 2′ wide 12′ long 3″ thick. Thus the wood larger slab is more valuable. Wood species also has a factor in the cost of a live edge table. But not all trees make great wood slabs, and yes, how they are milled stored and dried make a difference in the final natural wood furniture piece.
Natural wood coffee table Made from a Claro Walnut live edge wood slab. Lace burl redwood wood slab table with acrylic slab legs.
Which woods make the best live edge table?
With over 60,000 wood species around the world, how do you choose? A good rule is staying close to home. By this, I mean to stay within a few thousand miles. Also, it is good to look for a wood monger that believes in sourcing their logs ethically. What is ethically sourcing? Basically, in a nutshell, it means not cutting a living tree unless it must be removed because of construction or a hazard. Trees have life cycles. But back to what is the best wood for live edge furniture. Within the USA, the most stable is old growth Redwood, but Black walnut, Cherry, and Claro walnut are also great options. Oaks whether, red, white, or black oak, are also options along with sycamore and maple. Each species has its own challenges but finding a custom furniture maker specializing in live-edge furniture will help.
Building a live edge table
Building a live edge table is a great DIY project. But finding quality wood can be difficult but not impossible. Air-dried wood takes 1 year per inch for most softwood species and longer for hardwood species. Kiln drying will speed this up, but the moisture should be around 16% before it is placed in a kiln. To date, I have been unable to find proof that one is better than the other. As a custom rustic furniture maker in both rustic furniture and live edge furniture, my preference is air-dried wood. In building a live edge table, whether a coffee table or dining table, one of the key tips starts with quality wood, then sand and sand some more…..
Custom Live Edge Furniture designs
Also, remember quality finish is not just in a can but rather a process. Woodworking, in general, is a process with many paths, as a custom furniture maker that specializes in rustic furniture and live edge furniture. Yes, these are basically the same style and use the same skill set. A Live edge table is also known as a rustic table or natural wood table. Although a live edge table must have a living edge and the others, do not have that requirement. Besides a live edge table, this unique wood is also used in wood countertops and our rustic vanity designs. We welcome visitors at our Nashville, TN, studio/gallery.
Another example of a live edge table built by our custom furniture maker using salvaged old growth redwood wood slabs. Live edge countertop Custom Natural wood console table
Live edge furniture maker
Since 2001 Kelly Maxwell has built custom furniture using logs and live edge wood in his designs. He has a DVD teaching how to build a log bed. He welcomes the opportunity to teach and encourage other woodworkers, whether professional or DIY artisans. A little-known fact is he also sells unfinished air-dried wood slabs native to the Pacific Northwest.
I have inherited a live edge redwood living room table. Maybe from 1970s to 1980s. It’s glued to a huge redwood root base that is not finished and it’s cracking and trying to break off in large pieces. Is there anything I can do to preserve the base?
Thank you!
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Picture of table
During the 1970s and 80s, some furniture was made poorly. Typically the only option is to fill, sand, and refinish.
You can cut the top off the base to save the base.
Great information, thank you. I have a question. I’m going to be building a Farmhouse style dining table keeping with the obviously rustic theme.
On the bread board ends I’m going to use live edges. I wanted to use Doug fir but find having to drive 1/2 a day or more to get it takes the joy out of making the table top.
What species of wood would you recommend instead. Baring in mind Doug fir was the shade in color I was after. And a wood I could easily put many many coats of a satin clear coat to and not have to bother staining or dying it.
Thanks in advance,
Neal in Western NC
At a quick thought, black oak and even white oak would give you a similar color tone, but they both have a different wood grain then Doug fir.
Hope this helps