The Natural Character of Wood
One of the things we love most about working with natural wood is that no two pieces are ever quite the same.
Every board has its own combination of colour, grain and character, shaped by the tree it came from and the way it grew. This means that every Pyefinch product made from natural timber is, to some degree, unique.
We see these variations as part of the beauty of working with real wood rather than something to be hidden. We carefully select our timber and consider its individual character when deciding how and where it will be used.
No Two Pieces Are Identical
When you purchase a wooden product from us, the photographs on our website show the design, timber species and typical appearance of the product. The particular piece you receive will have its own grain pattern and may vary naturally in colour and character.
Even products made from the same board can look noticeably different depending on which part of the timber they are cut from.
This individuality is one of the characteristics that distinguishes a product made from natural wood from one made using a printed, veneered or synthetic imitation of timber.
Grain & Figure
The grain is one of the most distinctive features of natural wood.
Depending on the species and the way the timber has been cut, grain can appear straight and uniform, sweeping and curved, or highly figured. Patterns can change direction across a single piece and may become considerably more pronounced once the timber is machined and finished.
Features such as ripples, curls and other figuring can create particularly striking pieces of timber. Where possible, we use these characteristics to enhance the appearance of the finished product rather than trying to make every piece look identical.
Natural Colour Variation
Timber colour naturally varies — sometimes considerably.
Two pieces of the same species may be lighter or darker than one another, while an individual board can contain several shades. The application of a finish can further enhance these differences by bringing out the grain and natural depth of colour.
For this reason, the colour shown in our product photographs should be regarded as representative rather than an exact colour match.
Computer screens, phones, lighting and photography can also affect how colours appear.
Heartwood & Sapwood
A tree doesn't produce timber of one uniform colour.
Heartwood is the older wood towards the centre of the tree, while sapwood is the younger wood nearer its outside. Depending on the species, there can be a noticeable difference in colour between the two.
This can sometimes create striking changes of colour within a single product.
Where appropriate to the design, we may retain these natural contrasts rather than removing them simply to create a more uniform appearance.
Knots & Natural Markings
Knots and other natural markings are part of the history of a tree and can add considerable character to timber.
Small sound knots, mineral streaks and naturally occurring colour or grain variations may therefore be present in our products.
However, natural character isn't an excuse for poor-quality timber.
We inspect the wood we use and consider whether its individual features are suitable for the product being made. Timber with defects that we believe would adversely affect the strength, function, durability or overall quality of the finished product is rejected or the affected area is worked around.
Our aim is to retain attractive natural character without compromising the quality of the finished piece.
End Grain
Where the end of the wood fibres is visible, you'll see what is known as end grain.
End grain often appears darker and more textured than the surrounding faces because of the way the timber fibres are exposed and absorb finish.
This is entirely natural and can create noticeable differences in colour between different surfaces of the same product.
Wood Changes with Age
The appearance of natural timber isn't necessarily fixed on the day your product leaves our workshop.
Exposure to daylight and the surrounding environment can gradually alter its colour. Some species change more noticeably than others — cherry, for example, is particularly well known for developing a deeper, richer colour as it ages.
This is a natural process and part of the way genuine timber develops character over its lifetime.
Where practical, avoiding prolonged exposure to strong direct sunlight can help reduce uneven colour changes.
Made from a Natural Material
When you choose a product made from real wood, you're choosing a natural material rather than something manufactured to be completely uniform.
Small differences in grain, colour and natural markings mean that the product you receive won't necessarily be visually identical to the one photographed on our website — and that's part of what makes it yours.
We carefully select, machine, finish and inspect every piece before it leaves our workshop. We want the natural character of the timber to complement the product, never compromise it.
If you have any questions about the timber used for a particular product, or would like advice before ordering, please get in touch.