About this lane
Rustic Hardwood
The North Carolina hardwood slabs that would not make a clear grade, sold for the character that kept them out of it. Each listing's photos are the record, and when we know the species, that species' page tells its story.
- Origin
- Mixed North Carolina domestic hardwood, rustic grade (not a species)
Working & finishing
Stabilize loose knots and bark pockets with thin epoxy before flattening, fill checks and voids after the first pass, flatten again, then sand to 180. Knots chip cutters and burn at the router, so slow through them. Oil or hardwax oil suits rustic stock and is easy to spot-repair around a fill; a thick film shows every fill as a flat spot. Coated or stainless fasteners, since the species may be tannin-rich.
Care
Indoor use only; a mixed lane carries no decay rating, and fills and checks are where water gets in. Wipe spills quickly. Design and treat the top as if it were oak, the worst mover in the group, so seasonal movement across the width is expected and allowed for.