Appearance Selection

At Timber Build, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality architectural products crafted from a variety of beautiful wood species. However, it's important to understand that natural wood, including cedar, oak, walnut, and others, comes with inherent color variations that can affect the final appearance of your project.

Given the natural variance of wood, it is important to set realistic expectations for the color of your finished product. Here’s how you can manage these variations:

    • Understand the Natural Color Range: Western Red Cedar, our standard wood species, naturally varies in color from light reddish hues to deep chocolate browns. These variations are part of the wood's unique charm. We recommend viewing images of Western Red Cedar on our website to get a better sense of the potential color range you might receive in your order.
    • Consider Natural Variance Part of the Beauty: Embrace the uniqueness of natural wood. Variations are part of its charm, adding character and distinction to your architectural elements.
    • Know the Impact of Staining: Staining can enhance or alter the wood’s natural color. To help you achieve your desired look, you will receive three planks with "Color Match Selection" option specifically for testing your stain before applying it to the final product. These planks will be selected to match the color of your product’s Color Match selection, giving you a true representation of how the stain will look. We recommend testing the stain on these planks first to ensure it meets your expectations. Additionally, for brackets and corbels, consider applying the stain on a non-visible portion of the wood, such as the side that will be mounted against the wall, to see how it interacts with the wood before staining the entire piece.

Default: Standard Selection

This is our standard offering, ideal for customers who plan to paint their products or who do not prioritize precise color matching after staining. This selection is perfect for those who appreciate the natural variations in wood or are focused on achieving a painted finish. It maintains the same high quality of wood and finish, especially for Western Red Cedar.

Custom Work Only: Paint Grade

Our Paint Grade option may feature more wood pieces joined with finger joints and glued, along with imperfections like filled cracks, larger knots, or knots repaired to sit flush with the surface. This option is specifically designed for a smooth, paintable finish and is not recommended for stain or semi-transparent applications. For customers unsure whether the surface will be painted or stained, we recommend our Standard Selection, which is available with all our standard products.

Custom Work Only: Color Match Selection

For customers who are using stain and want to ensure the closest match between each piece, we offer our premium Color Match Selection. This service means that we will try our best to match the color of each wood piece as closely as possible to others, particularly when using Western Red Cedar. This option is recommended for those looking for a cohesive stained look and comes with a premium price due to the careful selection and matching process involved.

Why Does Wood Color Vary?

Wood is a natural material, and each piece has its unique characteristics influenced by factors such as:

    • Tree Age and Growth Conditions: Variations in soil, climate, and age can influence wood color, resulting in differences even within the same species.
    • Heartwood vs. Sapwood: The color can differ between the heartwood (center of the tree, often darker) and sapwood (outer layers, typically lighter).
    • Exposure to Sunlight and Air: Wood can darken or lighten when exposed to light over time, affecting its natural tone.

These variations are not defects; they are part of what makes wood beautiful and unique. However, understanding and anticipating these differences is crucial to achieving your desired look.

Our Wood Species and Their Natural Tones

Here's a brief overview of the wood species we offer and the typical color ranges you might encounter. For a full list of wood species, click here.

    • Cedar: Light reddish-brown to deep chocolate brown. Cedar can vary widely, with some pieces being lighter and others showing darker, richer hues.
    • Poplar: Generally light with greenish or brown streaks. Ideal for painted finishes due to its uniform texture.
    • White Oak: Light to medium brown, often with a golden or slightly gray undertone.
    • Walnut: Dark brown with purplish or black streaks, known for its luxurious appearance.
    • Cherry: Reddish-brown that darkens over time, adding depth and elegance.
    • Red Oak: Light to medium reddish tones, often with a prominent grain pattern.

Why We Don’t Offer Sample Approvals

Due to the high volume of orders we process, providing a sample of the current stock for each order isn’t feasible. However, our team is trained to select wood that best meets the typical characteristics of your chosen species.

Contact Us for Guidance

If you have specific color requirements or need advice on finishes, please contact our customer service team. We’re here to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your project, and we appreciate your understanding of the natural beauty and variance of wood.

Ensuring Your Satisfaction

At Timber Build, our goal is to deliver products that meet your aesthetic and functional needs. By understanding wood’s natural characteristics and communicating your preferences, we can work together to ensure your architectural brackets, corbels, and other wood products exceed your expectations.