The Best Wood Table Tops Guide

Choosing the best wood table tops for your dining table is crucial for any home’s renovations or interior design process. 

Doing a bit of research before tackling this task was an intelligent decision. So kudos for that. Most people ask questions like what’s the best wood for a tabletop. However, there can never be only one answer. The best option for you depends on multiple factors, such as budget and durability. But no worries, we’ll talk about all of that in this article.
So, if you wish to have a solid wood dining set, check out our blog. We’ll give you all the information needed to make a solid decision and get yourself an artisan dining table.

Hardness and Durability Determine the Best Wood for a Tabletop

As you may assume, not all wood types will have the same hardness. In fact, this wood characteristic is measured by the Janka Hardness test.

This determines which are the best types of wood for dining table craftsmanship.  And on the scale, the hardest wood type is Australian Buloke with 5,060 lbf. On the other end of the scale is balsa wood, at only 70 lbf, making it the softest wood type.But why does this make a difference? Well, dining setups go through a lot of wear and tear throughout the years spent in your home. That’s why you need something that will withstand the constant bumps, scratches, and hits. And that’s why hardwood is THE wood to make a table with if you want it to last. However, not all hardwood is the same. If you live in areas with high humidity, you’ll have to skip the high-density types of wood for dining table-making. Some of them tend to crack or warp in those conditions.

Also, if you wish to make an artisan dining table yourself, softwood may be easier to work with, especially if you’re a beginner.

Best Types of Wood for a Dining Table

There are multiple options when it comes to choosing the perfect wood to make a table. We’ve gathered the best and given you the information needed to pick the best dining table for your needs.

Check out your options.

Walnut Wood

There are multiple varieties of Walnut trees around the world. However, if you’re in the United States, you’ll most likely be working with Eastern Black Walnut. Lucky for you, this is a great wood to make a table with if you wish to have a unique and attractive piece in your home. Eastern Black is known for the color variations it brings and the appealing contrast most people enjoy. This is why it’s often mentioned as the best wood for a tabletop of contemporary dining furniture. Don’t get discouraged from giving it a shot if your home’s style isn’t contemporary. This type of walnut works well in most surroundings. So, whether you have a modern farmhouse, or a contemporary miracle, walnut is a solid option, but not the cheapest.

Appearance

There’s no simple way to determine the appearance of this type of wood. It varies from purple tones to black and gold features with bold combinations and grain patterns.  Whether you like it or not, there’s no denying that walnut tables are statement pieces likely to catch a few eyes.

Hardness

1010 on the Janka scale.

Durability

Walnut is known for being hardwood. However, it’s susceptible to scratching and denting.

Cost

Unfortunately, it can’t all be good. Walnut furniture is usually highly expensive.

Maple Wood

Maple is one of the most demanding used types of wood to make a table in the States. It’s also known for its light grain and smooth finishes. And, on top of that, it’s still highly durable. Mostly, you can find it in contemporary furniture, but it’s no stranger to traditional dining rooms. If you wish to have a solid wood dining set but don’t like the price of hardwood, going for Soft maple is your best option.  It’s still hardwood but gets its name based on the comparison with Hard maple. Don’t confuse it with soft types of wood. Soft maple is a high-quality hardwood that can serve its purpose quite well.

Appearance

The silky texture will make you choose this as your next artisan dining table. The colors can vary from whites to light browns, with a golden grain.

Hardness

1450 on the Janka scale.

Durability

The light grain pattern makes this type of wood extremely durable. So, if you plan on giving your table a few hits, maple may be the way to go.

Cost

All hardwood is expensive. That’s what you probably know by now. While maple is still pricy, compared to other hardwood, it’s affordable. 

Or, if you want a more budget-friendly option, go with Soft maple. It will set you back a bit less.

Cherry Wood

Cherry furniture is widely spread around the country, so it’s most likely that you’ve had a couple of dinners at a cherry wood table. These solid wood dining sets can be found both in professional, formal dining halls and at your grandma’s home. This says a lot about the qualities and the popularity of this type of wood. Cherry is unique because the sunlight can make this wood change its appearance. It will likely darken, and the light will bring more depth to the piece. It’s not uncommon that your cherry table changes its color after a few years. However, the warm look of cherry makes it a bit harder to match with rooms that have cooler tones dominating the design. So, make sure it fits the room before you buy this type of table.

Appearance

Cherry wood tables have a unique reddish-brown look. These tables have the most subtle grain patterns on the market but don’t bring as much contrast as something like walnut, for example.

Hardness

950 on the Janka scale.

Durability

If you aren’t that careful around your furniture, cherry might show some dents and scratches.

Cost

Depending on the pieces, cherry tables can be moderately priced or quite expensive pieces.

Pine

Pine is all over the United States, so it makes sense for it to be budget-friendly and widely spread as furniture. And that is the case. On top of that, pine is also relatively easy to work with and modify. This wood type takes screws better than most wood types and emits a pleasant odor simultaneously. It’s known for knot holes, which are usually a hit or a miss.  Some people adore them and wish to keep this aesthetic. Others believe that the best dining table for their house can’t have knots. Luckily, with some faux stains, that’s easily fixable.

Appearance

Pine is known for its light brown color and a few visible knots.

Hardness

380 on the Janka scale.

Durability

Decent durability but might be susceptible to dents.

Cost

The most affordable option.

Check Out Our Dining Options

Visit our website if you’re looking for a high-quality hardwood table. Moku Dining options will surely leave you amazed.