Finishes on Timbers and Logs

Planed and oiled

The usual choice. A smooth finish that enhances the natural grain of the wood.

Stained

A coloured stain may be added, such as the cherry stain we used in this home.

We use Sansin European environmentally-friendly water-based stain which is available in broad palette of colours.

Rough sawn

This might be the choice for a timber frame barn or an outdoor pavillion using our instant-aging Lifetime Crystals (see our fence for the colour this treatment achieves).

Rough sawn and brushed

Our special nylon brush on rough-sawn wood cleans up the surface for an interesting effect that looks rustic but well-worn and is easier to clean, as on these stairs (close-up at right).

The saw marks from the mill are still very pronounced, but there is a smoothness. This wood was treated with a dark, Early American-type stain.

Drawknife finish

The edge of this mantlepiece was finished by hand with a drawknife, a double-handled tool with a blade that you draw towards yourself as you shave the surface of the wood. Facets left by the drawknife leave a rough-hewn effect.