Creative wood slab projects add warmth and depth to any building project and are particularly popular in the residential sector of the rapidly growing wood products market. Live edge wood slabs are well suited to these applications, combining beauty and durability with environmental benefits.
Wood slabs can be difficult to work with considering their large size, irregular shapes, and need for specialized milling techniques. However, the result makes up for the effort required, especially if you follow a few basic guidelines.
Keep reading to learn practical tips for using custom wood slabs most effectively.
Why Choose Custom Wood Slabs?
Wood slabs bring unique beauty and character to every project thanks to their unique grain patterns, imperfections, and knots. Their natural edges and curves allow each piece to stand out by creating a sense of movement and organic flow.
Beauty aside, custom wood slabs also offer the following benefits:
Versatility
Live edge wood suits a wide variety of styles and design projects, from rustic to modern. They’re well suited to wall art, shelves, countertops, and tables.
Sustainability
Wood construction materials have an extremely low carbon footprint and are highly suited for recycling. When harvested according to the principles of responsible forestry, wood is a sustainable material.
Durability
Wood slabs can last for decades with minimal upkeep. All they need is an occasional application of wood or wax and regular cleaning with a damp cloth.
Types of Custom Wood Slabs
Choosing the right custom slab is critical for maximizing the benefits of this beautiful wood while bringing your contractor slab design ideas to life. These are the things to consider when making your pick:
Types of Live Edge Wood Slabs
Live edge wood slabs retain the natural edge of the tree. They’re available with the bark intact for a unique organic look or with the bark removed to create a smoother finish.
Live edge slabs come in three configurations, namely:
Standard Shape
Milled at the trunk of the tree, these slabs vary widely in width and length. They’re the most versatile choice for many projects.
Y-Shaped
Also known as ‘crotch slabs,’ these slabs are milled at the fork of the tree. One edge of the slab is usually wider than the other, making it a good choice for free-standing furniture, like tables or desks.
Rounds
Round slabs are milled at three to five inches thick, creating a stocky finish. They have live edges on the perimeter of the slab.
Customization Options
The most obvious customizations regard the size and shape of the wood you choose as well as the species of tree. Some popular choices include:
- Black Walnut
- Oak
- Russian Olive
- Elm
- Silver Maple
- Ash
Various finishing treatments will help bring the wood to life and enhance its durability.
Custom Slab Installation Tips
Before your customers can enjoy the benefits of their gorgeous live edge slab installation, the wood must undergo a few important phases. These are the steps involved:
Preparing the Slab for Use
After milling, wood must rest before it’s put to use in construction projects. Air-dried wood is placed outdoors in a place with good airflow, while kiln-dried wood is kept in a heated environment for up to 6 weeks.
Kiln-dried wood is always preferable for contractors. It looks great and has a low moisture content. When ordering a custom slab, you must keep this preparation time in mind when planning your project.
Slab flattening turns rough-cut lumber into attractive, functional pieces ready for use. It removes imperfections and creates a smooth surface for furniture pieces.
There are three ways to flatten a live edge slab. You can use a:
- Router sled
- Drum planer
- Planer and jointer combination
Depending on the scope of your project, you may need to join one or more live edge slabs to create the desired look. There are three ways to do this:
- Bookmatched slabs join two successive cuts from the same tree for a symmetrical appearance
- Hexo slabs combine multiple small panels to create a large slab
- River slabs feature a gap between two panels filled with epoxy resin
Joints add interest and appeal to unique wood slab furniture and work surfaces.
Finishing Live Edge Slabs
It’s imperative to seal a wood slab before you work with it. You can do this using a spray gun, roller, or brush to apply an oil finish, 2K urethane finish, or polyurethane.
Do’s and Don’ts When Working With Custom Wood Slabs
Never store untreated wood in an unconditioned space. Fluctuating moisture and temperature can cause cupping. If you can’t maintain stable conditions, covering your slab in plastic wrap will keep it safe from condensation.
Don’t block airflow on one side of the slab by placing it flat on a surface. Place risers under the piece so air can flow beneath it.
Avoid storing the wood for a long time before installing it. Get to work as soon as possible after acquiring your perfect live edge slab.
Design Ideas for Custom Wood Slabs
Your imagination is the only limit to the things you can do with live edge wood slabs. They’re perfectly suited to many commercial and residential settings.
Common applications of these slabs include:
- Tables, i.e., dining tables, coffee tables, end tables, and hanging tables
- Countertops, bartops, and bathroom vanities
- Floating shelves and custom bookcases
- Decorative elements like art pieces and light fittings
- Benches and seating
- Headboards
- Cutting boards
- Fireplace mantels
Sourcing Premium Live Edge Wood Slabs in the City of Trees
Custom wood slabs suit a wide range of applications and can add beauty and flair to any space. They’re durable, sustainable, versatile, and suited to many construction and design projects.
Are you ready to wow your customers with the beauty of natural wood? Les Bois Milling is a place where high-quality lumber fulfills its potential in the hands of talented craftsmen.
We provide a vital link between innovative contractors and satisfied customers.
Our team is committed to bringing the beauty of our valley’s amazing trees into homes and businesses across the country. Talk to us about your ideas, and we’ll help you bring them to life.