4 Things To Consider To Make A Great Live Edge Slabs Purchase

To make a smart purchase, it is important to know what significant features the product you want to buy should have. With this article, you will be able to know those important things to consider when choosing slabs for your projects. 

Live edge slabs are pieces of wood that retain much of the timber’s natural character. How? Preserving its visible grain, wavy edges, and ending minor imperfections that keep it looking rustic and original. 

Its genuine appearance makes it the top choice for companies looking for a unique style in their decorations. Wood seems like a good option not only because of its natural beauty but also its benefits to people. 

It is well known that the work environment affects people’s productivity. Some research has shown that being surrounded by wood, or pieces made of wood like slabs, stimulate workers’ creativity and service. 

At Brazilian Lumber, each of our live edge slabs is hand-selected and dried to ensure a perfectly natural product. All of our slabs come from tropical hardwood trees. The ones we have right now are made from Tigerwood and Angelim Pedra.  Both in a variety of sizes, ready for your projects. 

In addition, all our slabs share some incredible features you should not miss. Here is a list of the most important ones: 

• Durability
• High quality 
• Workability
• Uniqueness 
• Natural look

All of our slabs are made of recycled material. We have them as root slabs, prefinished or unfinished live edge slabs, and round live edge slabs. Click here to check out our slabs. We will be happy to help get the item you require in the colors and styles that best suit your project.

Our live edge slabs are very versatile too. You can use it as tabletops, barn-style doors, rustic headboards, decorative art pieces, or as a floating shelf.

Since there are many slab pieces, you can sometimes feel overwhelmed when deciding which one to buy. This article can be really useful for those looking for a stunning slab who don’t know where to start. Here are the 5 things we consider you should know before investing in a piece.

1. Slabs Should Be Dried And Finished

If you are buying large live edge slabs, make sure each piece is properly dried. Why? Because this will provide more dimensional stability to the wood piece. 

Wood tends to shrink depending on the species the slab comes from. With hardwoods, you won’t need to worry about that, but width and thick reduction may be an issue with other species. 

Likewise, if you are looking for a smoother and more durable surface, prefinished slabs are the right choice. A polished product means more usable material that will be easy to work with. 

The slabs we have right now ready to ship accomplish these two specifications. Our pieces are made from Tigerwood and Angelim Pedra. Both in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. 

Tigerwood is an exotic type of hardwood that has a distinctive light golden-brown to reddish-brown coloring with exotic black and brown streaks. Therefore, its color gives the wood such a unique appearance. 

This amazing hardwood has a non-preservative lifespan of over 30 years, does not mold or mildew, and is sustainably harvested. In fact, all our hardwoods come from sustainable forest management and are certified.  

With Angelim Pedra wood, the color is also a factor that stands out. It varies from tan to yellow, with vertical stripes in dark red and brown shades. It is also very durable and resistant to dry-wood termites. Plus, it is a very affordable option.

2. Make Up Your Mind About The Number Of Slabs You Need

Making smart purchases means having a clear idea of the project you want to build. So after choosing the type of slab, decide how many pieces you need. This really depends on what you are building or remodeling and your design preferences.

If you are looking for one piece, you must have a clear idea of your space to place it. This will make you buy the piece with the right dimensions. 

Now, if the space where you are doing your building project is ample, maybe three or four pieces of slab furniture are the right ones to get stunning results. 

As if these two recommendations were not helpful, knowing the slab pieces you need for your project will make you realize the budget you actually need for it. 

3. What Slabs Do You Want? Thick Or Thin?

The thinner the milled wood, the more likely your sharp-edged table will be prone to warping and twisting. 

Shop at places with the knowledge and experience to properly guide you through your project. Here at Brazilian Lumber, we believe that live edge slabs should be at least three inches thick. This will allow the slab to resist some changes that may occur during the drying process.

4. Live Edge Slabs Maintenance

Some articles agree on recommending two products for the proper maintenance of your slabs. This being lacquer and oil. We are more in favor of using oil. 

Both products have different effects after application. For example, lacquer is applied to the wood surface, sealing it. Whereas oil goes through the inside of the wood grain, strengthening the timber fibers. 

A lacquered surface will be easier to maintain as you clean a sealed cover in the short to medium term. On the other hand, oiled live edge furniture will require a little more maintenance, as the oil must be replenished periodically.

But why do we recommend the use of oils? For us, applying oil to the surface of the slab is a more natural way to maintain this type of furniture.  Oils are less invasive products, although they have a more substantial effect. 

That is why we always suggest the use of oils on hardwood structures. Oils are subtle products that preserve the natural state of the wood, giving it an incredible shine. 

Long story short, be sure you have a clear idea of the project you want to build before purchasing. If you are looking for a live edge slab, prefer a dry, finished piece that will provide a polished surface that is easier to care for and better to show off.  

Don’t forget to measure the space where you’ll be placing the new live edge piece,  so you know how many you’ll need. And be careful how thick each slab should be. At Brazilian Lumber, we will be thrilled to guide you with everything you may need for your purchase.