What Is Live Edge Bench?
Live edge refers to the style of furniture that leaves the natural edge intact. A rustic bench made from live edge wood shows off the tree’s stunning beauty and incorporates a part of it into the furniture. The design reveals the solid wood grain, knots, and natural tones that are untouched and unaltered.
A live edge bench also creates a focal point in many interior styles – rustic, modern or minimalist, among others.
Best Woods for Live Edge Bench
When choosing the best natural wood for a custom bench, always consider where you will put it. Indoor benches use different types of wood species from outdoor benches. Since outdoor benches are more exposed to several elements than the ones inside homes and buildings, you should consider woods with good weathering abilities.
For a live edge bench, we recommend the following natural wood:
- Ash
- Black walnut
- Box elder
- Catalpa
- Cedar
- Cherry
- Elm
- Greenheart
- Hackberry
- Hickory
- Locust
- Maple
- Mahogany
- Oak
- Pecan
- Pine
- Poplar
- Redwood
- Sassafras
- Sycamore
The hardwoods mentioned above and softwoods work incredibly well for indoor benches. However, you can use only some of them for outdoor applications.
Woods that withstand weather elements are the only ones that you should use for outdoor custom furniture. These woods include catalpa, cedar, elm, greenheart, locust, mulberry, white oak, pine, redwood, sassafras, and sycamore. Maple, poplar, and red oak can be used outdoors too. However, they need extra protection and treatment to ensure they won’t weaken over time.
How to Care for a Live Edge Bench
Caring for a live edge bench is similar to other wood custom furniture in your home. Humidity levels affect the wood’s composition. Maintaining an indoor humidity of 45-55% helps prevent cracking and splitting. Sudden changes in humidity and temperature levels cause tension in the wood, resulting in unwanted cracks and splits.
When cleaning the bench, only use natural products and soft rags like microfiber towels. Harsh chemicals from strong cleaning products can damage the coating and seal of the wood. It can also damage the wood itself once it is absorbed and will cause the bench to deteriorate faster. You may clean using equal parts of water and vinegar or a very mild soap or detergent.
Also, re-apply the seal once or twice a year if needed. The original seal weakens over time. Thus, it should be re-sealed to maintain the wood’s protection.
FAQs
Is it better to remove the bark of the tree for a live edge bench?
Some people choose to keep the tree's bark when making furniture as this enhances the wood’s natural appearance. While it can be kept and secured with epoxy, getting rid of the bark is advisable. The bark and the wood are not bonded strongly. The bark will fall off the live edge slab sooner or later and wreck the furniture, especially if epoxy isn’t applied.
Can the live edge bench go outside?
Wooden furniture, like live edge benches, may go outside if they are made from weather- resistant wood. Only a wood type that can withstand external elements should be used for outdoor furniture. Otherwise, the live edge furniture is safer if kept inside.
Where To Buy Live Edge Bench
You can easily find wooden benches from home and furniture stores. But, furniture made from live edge wood may take a lot of work to come by. There is more availability of live natural edge benches in specialized lumber dealers like Alderfer Lumber Company Inc.
Our inventory includes domestic and exotic woods, whose live edges exemplify the tree’s true value and natural beauty. Our hardwoods and softwoods are sourced sustainably, dried properly, and stored carefully. Our process maintains the wood’s optimal condition for any woodworking project, whether you're interested in a rustic bench, dining table, floating shelves, end tables, or coffee table.
To check our available slabs for a live edge bench or any uses, click here.
Don’t see what you are looking for? Fret not! Contact us with your specific requirements, and we’ll check its availability in our storeroom.
